Michigan Man Charged for Using Free WiFi

Nichole writes "Sam Peterson II was charged with unauthorized use of computer access for using a coffee shop's free WiFi. He is facing a 5 year felony charge and a $10,000 fine but apparently got off lucky and received only a $400 fine and 40 hours of community service because he was a first time offender. 'it seems few in the village of Sparta, Mich., were aware that using an unsecured Wi-Fi connection without the owner's permission--a practice known as piggybacking--was a felony. Each day around lunch time, Sam Peterson would drive to the Union Street Cafe, park his car and--without actually entering the coffee shop--check his e-mail and surf the Net. His ritual raised the suspicions of Police Chief Andrew Milanowski, who approached him and asked what he was doing. Peterson, probably not realizing that his actions constituted a crime, freely admitted what he was doing ... [the officer] didn't immediately cite or arrest Peterson, mostly because he wasn't certain a crime had been committed.'"

Here We Go

[pete-classic]

Let the "This is SPARTA!" jokes begin.

-Peter

Re:Here We Go

[j00r0m4nc3r]

"Lay down your laptop and WiFi card."
"Come and get them!"

Re:So using this logic....

[joebok]

No, not at all - no computers are involved in analog baseball. However, if you were watching somebody play Head to HEad Madden '07 on their PSP on the bus, then they could cart your ass off to jail.

Re:Keep your mouth shut.

[Rob the Bold]

Number one rule when dealing with cops: Never volunteer information that was not specifically asked for.

Even better, just fondle your WWGD bracelet, ask yourself "what would Gonzales do?", and reply, in your best Steve Martin voice: "I forgot."

Re:Here We Go

[AndroidCat]

Tonight we surf in Hell!

Re:Here We Go

[Esion Modnar]

I just came in here for the Sparta jokes, and so far have been really disappointed. So here goes.

"Our WiFi access will blot out the Sun!"
"So we will surf in the shade!"

Re:So using this logic....

[Nukenbar]

I walk into unlocked front doors everyday without explicit permission.

These places are called stores.

Re:Here We Go

[Anonymous Coward]

Tonight we surf in Jail!

There, fixed.

Re:So using this logic....

[poot_rootbeer]

Your front yard has a water fountain sitting next to the sidewalk. You pay for the water. The fountain only works by use of a key. But you have a machine sitting next to the fountain that produces a key for anyone who presses a button labelled "Press here to request access to water fountain". Am I committing a crime by pressing the button and then drinking the water?

I'm sorry, your analogy must contain at least one automobile. Please try again.

Re:Here We Go

[h2g2bob]

Sorry, but Big Iron-y is IBM...

Re:So using this logic....

[Anonymous Coward]

Even better you could add that some of the water you use to wash your car is 'sent' back into the house and dumped back into the city sewer system (uploading). BitTorret users all drive water trucks and actually upload more water than an average house can handle - due to the city overselling its water capacity :)