May 21, 2008
The Downingtown Police Department has made an arrest in the computer breach investigation at the Downingtown Area School District that was reported to our department on May 15, 2008.
A 15 year old male 9th grade student at Downingtown West High School has been charged with the following:
• Theft by Unlawful Taking or Disposition – Grade: Misdemeanor
• Computer Theft – Grade: Felony
• Unlawful Duplication – Grade: Felony
• Computer Trespass – Grade: Felony
Description of Offense: Accused not being authorized to access a school district computer server, did copy and duplicate computer data and transfer that data to his home computer. The data files contained over 41,000 adult taxpayers’ names and personal information including social security numbers and over 15,000 students’ names and personal information.
The student has been released to the custody of his parents and is awaiting action in Chester County Juvenile Court.
The Downingtown Police Department realizes our citizens are concerned that not only was their personal information compromised, but the possibility that the information may fall into the wrong hands and they become victims of Identity Theft.
Our investigation at this point does not indicate that the personal information breached was sold or otherwise mass distributed. We have isolated one other student that may have received part of the copied files from the student arrested. The second student has also cooperated and his computer has been surrendered to the police. No charges have been filed against the second student.
The computers of both students and a flash drive are in police custody for forensic examination by the Chester County Detectives Computer Crime Unit in an attempt to determine if the files were provided to any other persons.
The Downingtown Area School District and Superintendent Sandra Griffin have cooperated fully in this investigation
NEWS RELEASE - UPDATE
May 19, 2008
The Downingtown Police Department continues with the investigation concerning the computer breach at the Downingtown School District.
As mentioned in Friday’s release, a 15 year old male student at Downingtown West High School has been identified as a suspect in the breach.
The student and his parents have been interviewed and his personal computer has been surrendered and is in police custody for forensic examination.
No arrests have been made at this time.
Expect an updated news release over the next few days as the investigation progresses.
May 16, 2008
The Downingtown Police Department is presently investigating an incident involving the Downingtown School District.
Police were notified by Downingtown West High School that a 15 year old male student is suspected of breaching the school district computer network and obtaining restricted information.
We are still early in the investigation cannot provide any further details. No arrests have been made at this time.
Expect an updated news release on Monday, 05/19.
