A man named Charles Jackson was wrongly imprisoned for identity theft after opening a bank account using his real name and social security number. A bureaucratic error led the Social Security Administration to mistakenly flag his information as belonging to a deceased individual. When Jackson attempted to open the account, the bank alerted authorities, leading to his arrest and subsequent guilty plea based on the advice of a public defender who believed fighting the charges would result in a longer sentence. He served nearly two years before his family's relentless efforts, aided by a private investigator and an investigative journalist, unearthed the truth and secured his release.
A 19-year-old, Zachary Lee Morgenstern, pleaded guilty to swatting-for-hire charges, potentially facing up to 20 years in prison. He admitted to placing hoax emergency calls to schools, businesses, and individuals across the US between 2020 and 2022, sometimes receiving payment for these actions through online platforms. Morgenstern's activities disrupted communities and triggered large-scale law enforcement responses, including a SWAT team deployment to a university. He is scheduled for sentencing in March 2025.
Hacker News commenters generally express disgust at the swatter's actions, noting the potential for tragedy and wasted resources. Some discuss the apparent ease with which swatting is carried out and question the 20-year potential sentence, suggesting it seems excessive compared to other crimes. A few highlight the absurdity of swatting stemming from online gaming disputes, and the immaturity of those involved. Several users point out the role of readily available personal information online, enabling such harassment, and question the security practices of the targeted individuals. There's also some debate about the practicality and effectiveness of legal deterrents like harsh sentencing in preventing this type of crime.
Summary of Comments ( 225 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42918644
Hacker News commenters largely discuss the bizarre nature of the case, with several questioning how someone could be convicted of stealing their own identity. Some suggest the prosecution's argument that he stole his brother's identity, then assumed his brother's abandoned identity as his own, must have been convincing to the jury, despite the seemingly obvious flaws. Others speculate about potential missing details in the reporting, such as possible fraudulent use of the brother's identity beyond simply assuming it, or prior convictions playing a role in the sentencing. The overall sentiment expresses confusion and disbelief at the outcome, with some characterizing it as a Kafkaesque situation. A few commenters point out the difficulty in obtaining official documentation to rectify identity errors, particularly for those experiencing homelessness or other marginalization, which could have contributed to the man's predicament.
The Hacker News post, titled "He went to jail for stealing someone's identity, but it was his all along," which links to a New York Times article about a man jailed for identity theft despite claiming it was his own identity, generated several comments discussing the apparent bureaucratic absurdity of the situation.
Several commenters express disbelief and frustration with the seeming incompetence of the involved institutions. One commenter points out the Kafkaesque nature of the situation, highlighting the apparent difficulty of proving one's own identity when the system designed for that purpose fails. They express sympathy for the victim, trapped in a bureaucratic nightmare.
The conversation also touches upon the potential for similar situations to arise due to data entry errors or other administrative mistakes. One commenter speculates about the possibility of the man having a twin, or a similar name, leading to the confusion. Another suggests that errors in databases, particularly those used by law enforcement, can have serious consequences.
Some commenters focus on the legal aspects, questioning how such a situation could happen and whether there were any avenues for recourse available to the man. They discuss the potential for lawsuits against the government agencies involved. Another raises the concern about the lack of accountability for such errors and how it erodes public trust in institutions.
There's also discussion regarding the challenges of verifying identity in the digital age, and how these systems can be exploited or malfunction. One commenter draws parallels with other instances of identity theft and the difficulties faced by victims in rectifying such issues.
Finally, some commenters express a sense of resignation, suggesting that this incident highlights the increasing complexity and potential for error within bureaucratic systems. They voice concerns about the potential for such errors to impact anyone, emphasizing the vulnerability individuals face in the face of powerful institutions. The overall sentiment is one of frustration and concern about the potential for similar situations to occur in the future.