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Alleged hacker learning severe punishment can follow federal plea refusal

By Douglas A. Berman

Anyone familiar with federal sentencing realities knows that, at least in some cases, a defendant's decision to refuse the first plea deal offered by prosecutors can result in a severe increase in the sentencing stakes.  This new Wired story, which is headlined "Accused Hacker Who Balked at 2-Year Prison Deal Now Faces Decades," provides a high-profile example of the severe punishment that can follow a refusal to accept a federal plea deal: An alleged hacker who declined a 2-year plea deal is facing decades behind bars after federal authorities Thursday added multiple charges, including possession and distribution of child pornography. Barry Ardolf, 45, of Blaine, Minnesota, had rejected a plea deal in connection to charges accusing him of sending Vice President Joe Biden a threatening e-mail from his neighbor?s computer, a computer he is accused of hacking...continue to full post

Full post as published by Sentencing Law and Policy on June 25, 2010 (boomark / email).