Cop Accused of Using Spyware to Stalk His Ex

A suspended Kendallville cop charged of using a spyware to trace the computer activities of his ex- girlfriend was prosecuted on Friday, June 8, 2007 with two felony counts of computer meddling, according to news published by Indystar on June 9, 2007.

Joseph E. Pegan, 33, capitulated for arrest on June 8, 2007 and was released on $4,500 bail. He is asked to make an early court appearance on Monday, June 11, 2007.

In court papers, State Police Detective Sgt. Kathy Robbins, said, to scan the computer activities of his former girlfriend Pegan had used a spyware from his residence as well as the computers of police department from Nov. 15 to April 15.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Pegan's relation with the lady got over last fall, however she informed the police about doubtful activities on her system last month.

The lady told the police that while they were courting, Pegan has confessed using software to monitor the computer activities of former girlfriends, according to news published by Fortwayne on June 9, 2007.

During March 2007, the lady observed that somebody has altered the email id of a male friend in the armed forces by a single character. The friend's email id could be tracked to an overseas location, but the latest, slightly altered e-mail address was tracked to Kendallville.

A police examination reveled that the altered email id was created from a system at the Kendallville Police Department and the account was contacted several times in-between April 3 and May 16 during the hours Pegan was working.

The examination also produced a bill sent to Pegan's official email id from Real Tech spyware for the spyware software. The spyware Pegan purchased was employed to scan the computer called "Christie," Pegan's former girlfriend's computer, the affidavit stated, Fortwayne published on June 9, 2007.

All computer-fiddling charges have a probable punishment of up to one to three years in prison. Pegan also faces two misconduct counts of system trespass, all of which carry a maximum punishment of one year, as per news published by Wane on June 9, 2007.

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» SPAMfighter News - 6/22/2007