It’s a lunch hour ritual at the Re-Union Street Café. Customers regularly log onto the internet using the café’s wireless network to check their e-mail and surf the web while they enjoy the coffee and ambience.
Sam Peterson II did the same thing. “I knew that the Union Street had WiFi,” he told 24 Hour News 8. “I just went down and checked my e-mail and didn’t see a problem with that.” But Peterson did it everyday, and from his car. He drove up, parked, and piggybacked onto the Union Street network.
Under Michigan law, access a computer system without authorization and you’re committing a crime. A warrant was sworn for Peterson’s arrest on a “five year felony, $10,000 fine.” Peterson was incredulous, “I would have never guessed.”
As a first-time offender without a prior record, the Kent County prosecutor’s office decided not to charge Peterson with a felony. Instead, he’ll be enrolled in the county’s diversion program.
He’ll pay a $400 fine and do 40 hours of community service, but it will not go on his record.
24 Hour News 8 investigated the number of prosecutions - and found only a handful of WiFi freeloaders prosecuted worldwide.
The next time you’re tempted, though, think of Sam Peterson. “People need to know that this isn’t legal and if you get caught there are some pretty serious consequences.”
Perhaps reporters at WOOD-TV will also be prosecuted if they use free WiFi without buying coffee. But don’t bet on it. To its credit, Wood-TV has a forum on the topic.
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