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This is an ex-website
Sherman Austin, webmaster of RaisetheFist.com, was sentenced today, August 4, 2003, to one year in federal prison, with three years of probation. Judge Wilson shocked the courtroom when he went against the recommendation of not only the prosecution, but the FBI and the Justice Department, who had asked that Austin be sentenced to 4 months in prison, and 4 months in a half-way house, with 3 years of probation.
Austin's probation stipulates, among other things, that (1) he cannot possess or access a computer of any kind without prior approval of his probation officer, (2) if his probation officer gives permission, the equipment is subject to monitoring and is subject to search and seizure at any time, without notice, (3) he cannot alter any of the software or hardware on any computer he uses, (4) he must surrender his phone, DSL, electric, and satellite bills, (5) he cannot associate with any person or group that seeks to change the government in any way (be that environmental, social justice, political, economic, etc.), and (6) he must pay over $2,000 in fines and restitution. Austin must surrender himself to the Federal Bureau of Prisons by September 3, 2003.
Not only does he get a year in prison for "disseminating" information that is widely available elsewhere, he also is banned for three years from using a computer (good luck in the job market, mate!) and from "associat(ing) with any person or group that seeks to change the government in any way". No politics for you! No politics that might cause a change, anyway - I expect he's free to campaign for the Republican party.
Notice how the CNN story fails to mention a few crucial details and misrepresents the actual parole conditions.
Really made my day, this one. Fairly obvious message being sent here. |
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