Current:Home > StocksKentucky man who admitted faking his death to avoid child support sentenced to prison-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Kentucky man who admitted faking his death to avoid child support sentenced to prison
View Date:2024-12-23 14:29:18
A Kentucky man was sentenced to nearly 7 years in prison after hacking state systems to fake his death, in part, to escape child support payments, the U.S. Department of Justice announced.
Jesse Kipf, 39, of Somerset, Kentucky, hacked into the Hawaii Death Registry System in January 2023 with the username and password of a physician living in another state to certify his death, resulting in Kipf being registered as a deceased person in several government databases, the U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Kentucky said Tuesday. He also infiltrated other states' death registry systems and private business networks, and governmental and corporate networks using credentials stolen from real people tried to sell access to these networks to potential buyers on the dark web.
"This scheme was a cynical and destructive effort, based in part on the inexcusable goal of avoiding his child support obligations," said Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, in a statement. "This case is a stark reminder of how damaging criminals with computers can be, and how critically important computer and online security is to us all."
Kipf was sentenced to 81 months by U.S. District Judge Robert Wier on Monday. Under federal law, he must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence and will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for three years upon his release.
The damage to governmental and corporate computer systems and his failure to pay his child support obligations amounted to $195,758,65.
Michael E. Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office, said Kipf "hacked a variety of computer systems and maliciously stole the identity of others for his own personal gain." Victims of identity theft, Stansbury said, "face lifelong impact and for that reason, the FBI will pursue anyone foolish enough to engage in this cowardly behavior."
Defending against identity theft
Earlier in August, National Public Data revealed billions of American's addresses, names, and Social Security numbers were stolen and up for sale on the dark web due to a data breach. Experts previously told USA TODAY everyone should monitor their credit reports for illicit activity and take a step forward in freezing their credit accounts with the three bureaus for added protection.
If you're a victim of identity theft, the Justice Department recommends placing fraud alerts on your credit reports, closing accounts that were illegally accessed or created, and filing a police report. The department recommends people log all relevant information and conversations for the investigation and when speaking to the three credit bureaus.
Contact reporter Krystal Nurse at [email protected]. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter,@KrystalRNurse.
veryGood! (4113)
Related
- Beyoncé's Grammy nominations in country categories aren't the first to blur genre lines
- George Clooney calls Joe Biden 'selfless' for dropping out of 2024 presidential race
- Jinger Duggar Shares Never-Before-Seen Photos From Sister Jana’s Wedding
- 2024 US Open: Here’s how to watch on TV, betting odds and more you should know
- Arbitrator upholds 5-year bans of Bad Bunny baseball agency leaders, cuts agent penalty to 3 years
- NFL hot seat rankings: Mike McCarthy, Nick Sirianni among coaches already on notice
- Donald Trump Speaks Out Nearly 2 Months After Assassination Attempt
- MLB power rankings: Red-hot Chicago Cubs power into September, NL wild-card race
- Joey Logano wins Phoenix finale for 3rd NASCAR Cup championship in 1-2 finish for Team Penske
- Virginia mother charged with cruelty, neglect after kids found chained in apartment
Ranking
- MLS playoff teams set: Road to MLS Cup continues with conference semifinals
- Alabama man charged with murder in gas station shooting deaths of 3 near Birmingham
- A vandal shatters windows and doors at Buffalo City Hall
- Sephora 24-Hour Flash Sale: 50% Off Ashley Graham's Self-Tanner, Madison LeCroy's Eye Cream & More Deals
- OneTaste Founder Nicole Daedone Speaks Out on Sex Cult Allegations Against Orgasmic Meditation Company
- The 49ers place rookie Ricky Pearsall on the non-football injury list after shooting
- Angelina Jolie gets emotional during standing ovation at Telluride Film Festival
- Hyundai unveils 2025 electric SUVs aiming for broader appeal with improved range, charging options
Recommendation
-
These Yellowstone Gift Guide Picks Will Make You Feel Like You’re on the Dutton Ranch
-
How many points did Caitlin Clark score today? Rookie sparks Indiana Fever's comeback win
-
Congo says at least 129 people died during an attempted jailbreak, most of them in a stampede
-
'One Tree Hill' reboot in development at Netflix with Sophia Bush, Hilarie Burton set to return
-
Cavaliers' Darius Garland rediscovers joy for basketball under new coach
-
1 dead, 2 missing after boat crashes in Connecticut River
-
James Darren, ‘Gidget’ teen idol, singer and director, dies at 88
-
Human remains found in Indiana in 1993 are identified as a South Carolina native