Felon released after receiving forged fax

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Srini RamaKrishnan <cheeni () cmu edu>
Date: November 11, 2004 11:11:28 AM EST
To: dave () farber net
Subject: [For IP] Felon released after receiving forged fax

Amazing case of social hacking.

Srini

http://www.theeveningtimes.com/articles/2004/11/04/news/news5.txt

[...]

In West Memphis District Court yesterday, Tristian Wilson was set to 
appear on the docket for a bond hearing on the charges. When he did not 
appear, Judge William "Pal" Rainey inquired about his release and found 
that a jail staff member released Wilson by the authority of a fax sent 
to the jail late Saturday night.

According to Assistant Chief Mike Allen, a fax was sent to the jail 
which stated "Upon decision between Judge Rainey and the West Memphis 
Police Department CID Division Tristian Wilson is to be released 
immediately on this date of October 30, 2004 with a waiver of all 
fines, bonds and settlements per Judge Rainey and Detective McDugle."

Jail Administrator Mickey Thornton said that these faxes are part of a 
normal routine for the jail when it comes to releasing prisoners, 
however, this fax was different.

According to Allen, this fax was a fake.

[...]



Also see, 
http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2004/11/hacking_faxes.html

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