Accused Palin Hacker Pleads Not Guilty

David Kernell free for now but faces up to 5 years in prison
Posted Oct 8, 2008 2:15 PM CDT
Accused Palin Hacker Pleads Not Guilty
David Kernell, 20, leaves the federal courthouse in Knoxville, Tenn., Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2008, with his attorney Wade Davies, right.   (AP Photo/Lisa Norman-Hudson)

A Tennessee college student has been indicted on charges of hacking into Sarah Palin's email account and posting private info online, the Knoxville News Sentinel reports. David Kernell, the 20-year-old son of state Democratic Rep. Michael Kernell, pleaded not guilty. His trial is set for Dec. 16; he's free until then as long as he restricts his computer use to school work, doesn't leave Eastern Tennessee, and doesn't contact Palin.

Kernell could get hit with 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. "Cyber crime is the FBI's top criminal investigative priority," an agent said.

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