Anyone ever seen the 80's movie "Hackers"? Just remember, they will always feed the media a bunch of scary "bad guy" stories and insist that this is something we should all fear, yet I'm not grading him! The ones who fear him are the ones who know people like this could really make them look bad.

Jim Grim, Lenoir City, TN, USA

they just used him as an example of what will happen in the future but thats wrong since there are killers that get sentenced only 3 to 8 years for their crimes.!!!

fauricio, fayetteville, USA

sentencing an 18 year old boy for 38 years in prison for hacking is ridiculous and yet there are murderers and paedophiles roaming around that have gotten away with being sentenced. He broke the law and it would be understandable to punish him but seriously... 38 years is exaggerated!

Joy , Epsom , UK

Must try harder next term.

AA, New York,

Criminal, throw the book at him.

Mark, London, UK

38 years! the admin is liable is for being insecure if these guys can break into school the security people should be fired, and the "boys" slapped,
a sad reflection of a paraniod country
while politians pervert the elections with bribes and incentives
they punish kids led by thier own examples

Eveogente, southport, uk

Unfortunately for this kid, any sort of unauthorised computer access is a very serious offence in the US, punishable by custodial sentences that can be totally disproportionate to the crime. The mere fact it was information on computer (rather than on paper say) means he's in hot water. Ridiculous!

Chris, Bristol,

we once had a minor arson at my school. The police investigated the same day, no-one was allowed to leave. They found dozens of illegal door keys to various rooms in the school. That's just how things go at schools.

peter, Edgbaston,

There seems to be many people suggesting that this guy has talent and should work for the FBI or CIA. This is very basic stuff and.... he got caught.???

Liz, London - yeh, only people called Smith can be guilty nowadays?

Mark, Manchester, England

Maybe he got such a long sentence because of his name ...

Liz, London,

This is easy. All you need is a keystroke-catcher and a janitor who will let you trace his key for $100. Make a one-time-use copy from an aluminum can, install your remote access program, and change grades from the public library. No way this kid belongs in an IT department or the CIA. Get a clue.

Michael Westen, Miami, FL, USA

Dishonesty, motive and opportunity are the 3 requisites for fraud to occur. I wouldn't employ someone whom I thought was likely to defraud me if motive and opportunity arose - particularly if I thought they were clever enough to get away with it. He's not the first to squander his talents though.

Judy, Soton, UK

I live in Oregon and there was a man who was just sentenced to 12 years in jail for molesting 11 different children at his mother's day care facility.
How is it possible that someone who literally ruined the lives of 11 children on gets 12 years while someone who committed nothing could get 38????

Andrew , Eugene, OR, USA

Surely this isn't the first instance where a kid has tried to cheat or change their exam grades? What he did may have been criminal activity, but 38 years in jail just seems far too extreme a measure, especially when kids are getting away with far more serious crimes in school these days.

Luci, Huddersfield, UK

I'd have been shocked if this had happened Saddam's Iraq, but for a school kid to be threatened with such a sentence in "the land of the free" beggars belief. Maybe it's time to organise a liberal interventionist coalition to overthrow the US regime and replace it with something more civilised.

Alan Goldwater, Valencia, Spain

What if he was in collage faking marks to be a your Doc, Dent, ; in would it still be O.K.. I can tell my kid to stop working so hard to get good mark, just hack them. This changing of marks, makes a ? of all the kids that work hard to get an A.. 38 yrs thats not going to happen. You know it

Debbie, Winnipeg, Canada

This is one smart kid. He should go to college if his parents can afford it and he can be an asset to society. He should, however, be punished a little for his dishonesty. There are exams with which to earn a high school diploma. Give him one. He likely will pass.

Wallace Edward Brand, Alexandria, VA, US

I personally know Omar he was in two of My AP classes.. very smart but very lazy hardly ever came to class senior year. Even though he did committ alot of felony's i sympothize with him and hope that his verdict is less because its a classic case where a harmless kids way over his head. best of luck

tammy, Coto De Caza, CA, USA

Orange County, California is probably THEmost aggressive county in the US in prosecuting crime--thsi case is yet another example.
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TJ McGinley, Coto de Caza, USA

He just changed his grades which were obviously wrong but just the thought of 38 years is ridiculous. Just goes to show how murderers get off the hook while a school boy gets his to spend his prime years in jail turning into a drug addict and joining a gang.

Isaac, Princeton, USA

What this kid needs is a rational punishment for his behavior. Appropriate for his age and type of offense. What I really dislike though are all the people that think his poor judgement makes him worthy of a job offer. It is too bad his parents taught him to live this way. They let him down big time

Douglas Goodall, Santa Maria, United States

The US legal system is a disgrace.
Its accepted torture, now a lifetime in jail for a school-kid cheating in school.

Tony, Staffordshire, England

It says this resembles ferris bullers day off...not really...i think they were refering to the movie war games when he takes the passwords from the teachers and then changes his grades lol...a little confused...

lauren, sprinogboro, ohio

This kid RULES. Sure, he did comit a crime (and i'm sure people are with me here) but we need to put REAL criminals in jail, not some (extremely smart) kid who changed his grades. It just sounds stupid. a kid gets, what is it, 38 years!!!??? All he did was change his grades! sex preds get 38 years!!

John Allen, orlando, U.S

This is so like the 1983 film War Games were he uses a password for the schools network to change his biology F to a C. He was a bit stupid to change all of them to A, he could have varied it. Nevermind, its good that he's prosecuted as grades should be "fair n square", not fake!

Dale Johnson, Oldham, England

you gotta be kidding me. thirty eight years? they need
to put this clever child to work ad make use of his genius.
he'd probably make a great politician.

Anne, NYC, USA

This guy should get the ELECTRIC CHAIR, this type of criminal undermines the very fabric of our society and must be exterminated, mark my words, this is just the start of his crime spree, he will lead a life of crime if he and his mates get away with this, or give him a job in a world bank !

Tim, Dundee, Scotland

Intelligent persons with bad intentions are the most dangerous

Ron, Utrecht, NL

Only in America.. this is just ridiculous. A sentence is in place but 38 years? What a sick country...

Nem, Assen, NL

Those to be blamed are the school for not helping him in his failing grades or giving him other options.38 years is steep though,but to think at 18 he was able to break into his school,hack the system,set up remote location,and changed his grades...I want to be his friend...

Sabrina K, Markham, Canada

Let him go, 100% free. The guy is an intelligent person. Sure, he caused mischief, but how many other teenagers do everyday. The only difference is, this guy actually had the brains enough to understand how to use a computer.

Justin, Riverside, USA

It go's without saying. "Only in America". You give someone the power and oh yes we have to cripple the system. What they did was wrong and the consequences could of been dire but if all they did is sack Nixon. Hello!!! No brainer as far as I'm concerned. Put his obvious skills to better use

Elizabeth Murray, Pafos, Cyprus

It doesn't matter what this kid gets charged with. He's rich and he'll buy his way out of trouble, go to college, and eventually run for public office like the rest of his ilk.

Evan Slozancowski, A place, sort of, Montana,

In Wargames he changed the grades. In Ferris he changed how many times he was absent. Theres also the movie Hackers where the guy changes what class he was in.

Cormasco, Las Vegas,

Who is worse, the boy or the government prosecutor abusing his authority. Put me on the jury please.

Luke, Spokane, WA, US

You mean "War Games," NOT "Ferris Bueller's Day Off."

Andy, Denver, USA

How many years was it that Rummy got? And Cheney ? He DID shoot someone, after all.
Perhaps this kid with an Arabic sounding name is a secret Al Qauida and te CIA cannot tell us on grounds of Natioal Security ???????

Peter, George Town,

Very talented young kid. Wish I had his guts and drive when I was his age. Most really successful people didn't waste time at college. This publicity has secured his future. He will land up very successful in business. I would hire him.

Jon, London,

Well, i worked with this kid at bestbuy, he got fired after a month because they caught him stealing money. And now this.... when will this kid learn. He seemed like a really nice kid too.

Vincent, laguna hills, USA

The fact is, if this kid gets anything like 38 years, it is a race-fuelled punishment. Is he really the first American teen found cheating since Ferris Bueller?
If you don't think that this is racist, you obviously don't understand racism.
I dont know the full details, but e deserves 5 years, tops

nik, edinburgh, UK

A bunch of students and staff did something like this over at Diablo Valley College in northern California roughly 2 years ago? They altered hundreds of students grades, for money. I don't think any of them got more than 3 years.

Howard, San Jose, CA, USA

In America when things like this happen, most people say something like, "The system isn't perfect, but it's the best system in the world." This becomes an excuse for tollerating it. America is making a lot of bad choices, and for President, we're about to do another one.

kcuhC, Marietta, GA, USA

Had he been successful, he potentially could have stolen a college place from a hard-working kid who EARNED their A-grades! Is that not injustice?
He is 18 and old enough to know what he did was wrong. Skills better used elsewhere. & quit with the "it was race-fuelled" argument...

Rachael, Newcastle, UK

"the kid made a mistake"

He broke the law on purpose, on numerous occasions. That's not 'a mistake' no matter how much our politicians attempt to redefine the word.

38 years is ridiculous, but he needs to go to jail for a few months.

Kevin, Fairfax, VA, USA

wile i don't agree with what he did, i very much discredit his actual "hacking" skills. from the way it sounds he managed to get the teachers passwords (its not uncommon for them or any other non technical person to be bad at following password policy) and stole a key to the building.

mike, st. clair shores, united states

I dont care what anyone says...so the kid doesn't have morals like many many people out there. 38 years is absolutely ridiculous! Murderers who take people's LIVES do not even face such a serious sentence. give him a break - 5 yrs should be enough to teach him a lesson.

Char, NY, USA

Unbelievable... If this kid goes to jail for even 2 years... it will blow my mind. Trying to make an example of someone and ruining a persons life are two completely different things... the real criminals here are the ones trying to give this kid a completely unfair punishment.

Amit, Reston, USA

Sure the kid made a mistake. And for 18 years of age he should be punished (not with just a slap on the hand). But c'mon 38 years, this kid has made a mistake and although he is at a juncture of being an adult he is still learning to grow up. Treat him like a kid who has some potential in computers

Dustin, Los Angeles, USA

Why are you making this a race issue, he is not going to serve jail time they are going to scare him. But by all means make it racist like everything else is in this country that doesn't happen to white people.

john, San Francisco , America

Boy - anyone who looks at this case and thinks mandatory minimums work should have their head examined... talk about overcharging. When are we going to learn to hold prosecutors accountable for their overcharging and subsequent burdening of the system. Jeez, then these guys claim they're overworked

chris, boston, usa

38 years? Serial repists see 20 at the most.

Mark, San Fransisco,

In a society that demands high academic performance before one can function even on its most basic levels, it is no wonder that many young people are resorting to desperate measures in an attempt to avoid "failure." I view cheating students as akin to starving theives.

Jon, Asheville, USA

No way he gets 38 years, slap on the wrist and a decent fine, maybe some probation,not going to do any jail time. On the flipside though, the school should look into hiring him to shore up their poor security. I believe that is the best way to deal with hackers. I would've tried the same thing.

PhiLLy, Dallas, TX ,

38 years was it? Although the boy was alleged to commit many crimes, that sentence seems a bit steap for a desperate reaction to school failures, which may have been indirectly caused by, perhaps, parental and school pressures, espcially compared to the 3 year sentence of his peer.

Genevieve Widger, Wilmslow, England

The real miscreants are the lazy teachers who failed to secure the data with proper passwords.
I would think that trespass and criminal mischief should be the maximum charge, but where did he get a master key to the school. There is more to this than is being reported.

graham, hamilton,

Anyone who claims this young man could get 38 years for this doesn't have a clue about the criminal legal system in this country. It is absurd to publish such a statement. I am a criminal defense attorney, and I assure you he will get a slap on the wrist, that's all. Don't believe this bunk.

Joe, Cookeville, Tennessee, USA

Isn't this a school matter as opposed to a police matter? I doubt Barnie Fife would have been summoned had this been a white boy.

Dr. Ross, Jackson, Wyoming, US

I wouldn't give him a job because he's selfish and greedy. At least throw the symbolic C in there somewhere.

Also, holding him back a year will do more damage than jail time. Embarrassment and humility will teach him a better lesson than going to jail.

Laura, Illinois, USA

And just who will be paying the bill to keep this kid in prison for the next 38 years? Perhaps the bill should come out of the District Attorney's budget!

Samuel, Louisiana, MO, US

jayil, london, uk

You look down your nose at America and claim we are racist. When was the last time a black man with Isamic ties was up for the highest office in the UK?

US citizens are fighting for the freedoms and rights of millions of muslims. Something muslims can not claim for themself

Ted, San Diego, US

This kid has embarrassed some of the most arragont people in the world, teachers!! No wonder they are trying to give him 30 years, you only get seven for murder. He is a smart kid who needs a second chance and some conseling, not the prison system that is overloaded and failing.

Paula Glick, Coarsegold, Madera

38 years, come on, what you are thinking….. If he was white, is he going to get the same punishment!!!!

jack, Brea,

I agree with the reader who said the District Attorney behind this should be removed from office. Clearly an abuse of power by some annoying little toad with no practical life experience. Punish the school lad yes, but charging 69 counts marks the work of a mentally challenged and abusive attorney.

J.R., Kansas City, MO, US

He will not get 38 years. He should be expelled and good luck to him getting into college. Guess he should have earn his grades. And for the person who mentioned he was probably bored. Are you kidding? Take some responsibility for yourself....please. It is not everyone elses fault!

Stephanie, RSM,

This one's easy. Plea out to court supervision with reinstatement of sentence if he fails to fulfill a stint as a tech under the watchful eye of the CIA.

Brian, Ann Arbor, MI,

This "Tesoro HIgh" must be run by a bunch of pompous stuffed shirts. They could suspend the kid, flunk him, spank him, ground him, send him to juvenile hall but oh no, they want to put him in a cage for 38 years. With people like that running our schools no wonder the country is full of idiots.

kathleen, Kennewick, WA, US

What? Wasn't there about half a line in FBDO about changing grades, right at the beginning, and then never mentioned again?

Jon, Redding,

Schoolhouse prank? That's exactly the mindset of the idiotic parents who raise these useless kids. Yeah, what a great future employee; liar, thief, incompetent, burglar, etc. Which one of YOU dolts would hire him?

Mary Catherine, Elmhurst, USA

I really wish I didn't share his name.

Omar Khan, Exeter,

Oh just flog the kid in public and be done with it! It's not as though he murdered someone. Why waste his life?

Patrick , Pasadena, USA

This kid has a great future, he'll go to "jail" and work for the CIA,,,

marty, cleveland, usa

Give the kid a month in jail and 5 years probation. A part of the probation should be that he is prohibited from using a computer, and if he violates the terms of probation, then toss him back in jail for the remainder of the probate period.

Don, Albany, USA

The district attorney who over- charged this boy in some type of prosecutorial charging frenzy obviously has no common sense and is a disgrace to her profession. No wonder many people no longer respect the judicial system . Rape, murder, assault yes - but youthful schoolhouse pranks give me a break!

William Douglas, Washington D.C, US

he's also dumb... changing his grades to all A's without thinking the teachers wouldn't notice! haha. Should've spread the odds with a few B's and a C.

Steven Fry, London, UK

apparently the district attorney has nothing to do but waste taxpayer money

Gerry, San Diego, CA, US

He's an adult and accountable for his actions. He must be made an example of or the whole school system will suffer the consequences. Punishment is the only real deterent that will work against curiousity or planned breaking and entering of confidential records, wherever they may be.

Kevin O'Connell, Windsor, Ontario

Look at that grin in that picture.

Cory, Desert, UT,

Regarding G from Marlborough's comment, he IS a rich kid. He is from one of the richest gated communities in Southern California so as much I would usually agree with your comment, it's not true in this case.

S, Santa Ana, CA , US

Stealing passwords and putting remote software on a computer does not a hacker make. Comparing what he did to the ingenious exploits of Abagnale is laughable. Give him 3 years probation and have repeat the grade taking tests while supervised. Done deal.

Tys, Riverwoods, USA

what is wrong with this country judicial system???they sending rapist free,and give long term jail for stillin a pack of cigarettes..it is time to move to Greenland.

lester sowa, wethersfield, USA

To what "G" said earlier. I would guarantee that this kid is rich, as the location of where he lived and went to school is grossly affluent.

Tim, OC, USA

Give him a job? I dont think so, he displayed no talent or useful computer skills during his crimes. He used a stolen "master" password which shouldnt exist, and installed spyware which is stupid. Applications in computer or network security, programming, databasing, administration: none.

Tom, London, UK

This is a crime & they should be punished, perhaps not so harshly but they deserve jail time. These are the same kids that hack into bank accounts and steal money from innocent old ladies.
These kids have every advantage, great education, exclusive community. Why not take advantage ?

KB, Albuquerque, NM, US of A

This kid sounds like a future President, for sure this kid will do well in the business comunity as a CEO for a bank.
Wake up American, you're looking at yourself !
The same kind of person that drives your freeways and
doesn't care about anyone else, a greedy American, but hey that's America !

Steve, Sacramento, USA

@ G, Marlborough, UK

Do you really think it's any different here?

Gideon, Manchester, UK

Rob and Brandt: Nice to see someone also recognized the fact that it was the movie War Games, not Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Same actor, different movies. The password was PENCIL if I remember correctly. Great flicks (both!).

Bill Jenkies, Milwaukee, USA

It's not cheating, it's being resourceful. Send him to the FBI and train him to be some black ops guy who does physical and software security or something. We've got talent, use it.

Nick, San Diego, USA

Well he is a rich kid - "lives in Coto de Caza, one of Orange County’s oldest and most expensive gated communities - so the point about "the US judicial system - it's the best money can buy" doesn't fly here!

HM, LA, USA

Man, you people amaze me. No judge will sentence the kid to 38 years in prison. The fact that they have 69 counts on him happens to add up to a heck of a lot of months, but they won't throw the book at him. Most likely, he'll some community service. This wouldn't be a bad idea, in my opinion.

Jesse C., Chicago, IL

He won't get 38 years. that's just how many years they could technically get him for given the number of laws broken. He will probably get probation.

Frank Kunkle, Wichita, Kansas, USA

Mr. Milford: It is not simply a matter of changing grades. Breaking and entering, theft, fraud.... Had this been more, such as stealing SS#s, would that have bothered you? How about if this had been a bank? Do you mind letting him have access to your acct. so he could fill his? He's an adult.

tms, Texas, USA

More power to him! He should be rewarded for being this creative! Give him a government job, he'll fit right in.

Joe, Salem, USA

The amount of time does seem excessive. There are rapists and murderers who get less.

He does, nonetheless, have to be punished in a serious manner as this was physical and electronic breaking and entering. It is not like he is a victim of something that was beyond his control.

DCox, Leesburg, USA

It resembles the movie War Games, not Ferris Bueller's Day Off.

Hali, Toronto, Canada

Hey G in the UK - this kid lives in one of the richest communities in Orange County CA. Did you even read the story?

Personally I think the kid made a stupid choice, but 38 years is quite crazy. Make him repeat the 12th grade, and do what they do to spammers - no computer access for a year.

Nate, Pittsburgh, USA

BILL GATES/STEVE JOBS save this kid!

Ahsan, london,

Poorly handled... The school administration should have negotiated a resolution along the lines of retaking all classes with tampered grades or stolen tests. Including many hours of community service to the school, and if this was not acceptedby the student and parents, then submit to the courts..

ARJ, Payson, USA

Okay if you would rather live in a 3rd world country, then go do it and see if you survive; you wont!

Second, this kid doesn't need to be penalized like this. He simply needs to be rejected by ALL universities in CA. He won't even do the full time; he'll do like 2 years and he'll be out if that.

Chris, Hollywood, USA

well, considering he managed to get that far in succeeding to alter his grades, it's puzzling that he couldn't achieve good grades in the first place.perhaps the punishment could be mitigated a little?in fact, he could probably be useful on the right side of the law since he knows the bad side.

Jane , London, England

He IS a rich kid, you don't live in Coto de Caza or go to Tesoro if you're not a rich kid.
I think they are trying to make a point about cheating, hacking, and lying, and will make a deal for a few weeks in prison and a few years of parole.

Vanessa, Orange County, CA, United States

Despite his F's, Omar Khan obviously has an A-plus mind. Instead of sending him to prison, perhaps he could get remedial assistance to boost his school grades. Or he could become a Republican. They're master criminals and could well use Omar's skills. Remember Watergate?

Michele C., Los Angeles, CA, United States

Just change the grades back to F's. It's not like he killed anyone. I think 30 some years is way to long

Ryan Milford, maryland,

It's true what they say about the US judicial system - it's the best money can buy... if he was a rich kid it would never have got near the police or court.

G, Marlborough, UK

I wouldn't hire this kid - he's a cheat and a crook.

Keith, wigan, uk said:
"It shows the inhumanity of the US penal system (the worst in the world)... I'd rather live in the 3rd reich or stalins russia. "

Under those 2 governments, you could be killed for your political views or religion.

Andrew, New York, NY,

That thing influenced from a 2004 film, The Perfect Score.

Kwame, Detroit, USA

It is absurd to punish this kid so harshly. The US Educational System teaches you from a book in a systematic way. He was probably bored to tears and wasnt motivated to study material that would be utterly pointless to his existence. So he changed sum letters instead hes smart dnt punish giv a job

Johann, Chapel Hill, US

This is a prime example of how people fear anything they don't understand. As an IT Administrator, I understand and attempt to combat every day the fear of technology, the wild assumptions people make, and the "click ok" mentality.

As AW stated above, punish admins who don't follow IT policies.

Matthew, New York, USA

Unfortunately this is still a very racist country, I bet if his name was John Smith and he had white skin he would get a small slap on the wrist.

Jake, Indiana,

If this youngster was smart enough to hack
into a school's computer system, then why
couldn't he apply his brains toward studying
hard to get A grades in the first place?

karl, northridge, United States

would they get the same punishment if they were white?

john, clinton, usa

Yea 36 years seems a bit extreme for a charge like this whats wrong with this school....

ST, cincinnati, USA

We have murderers, child molesters & rapists who get less time than what is proposed here! Our justice system is so off track its not only rediculous but a source of amusement in other countries. Punishments should fit the crime and I hardly think 38yrs or even 3yrs in jail can be justified here.

DR, Orland Park,

unreal, i used to get in trouble at school to, - unfortunately: the dumber you make the staff look, the harsher the punishment.

Was suspended for installing key trackers to get passwords - stupid now that i look at it, but if the school had been proactive they would have channeled my energy.

Phil Palmieri, Orlando,

I agree with AW, San Diego, USA there was no hacking and it needs to be taken out of the article. The teachers that had there passwords taken need to get punished for leaving something like that out in the open! I can't believe they would give someone 38 years for this. People get less for Murder!

Dan Raymond, Northwood, USA

this was my high school hahaha

andrew, trabuco canyon, ca,

He is likely facing 19 counts with potential maximum sentences of 2 years a piece. If sentenced consecutively, he would get 38 years. More likely, will be sentenced concurrently, absent aggrevating circumstances. So that is only 2 years. Even then, he'll only serve 2/3 time, so 2 years is 1.32yr

Jeff, Los Angeles,

If he's a US Citizen, give him probation and community service.
If he's not a US Citizen, deport him and terminate his immigration progress.

Problem Solved. Good Day.

Victor, Orlando, USA

Instead of putting the kid to jail, or have him pay a hefty sum of money and have him hold a grudge against law enforcers and authority, they should offer him a job where he could put his obvious talent to use with the right discipline and coaching.

Krys, Gatineau, Canada

Haha, obviously he's not so stupid if he could do this. Just not applied to his school work...

Brandon, Temecula, USA

Stealing a teacher's computer passwords is not hacking nor does it mean he is going to become a future "computer engineer."

He probably just picked up a teacher's post-it-note with her password that was stuck on her monitor.

Eric, Smithberg, USA

The average murderer gets twenty two years.

Gemizo, London,

Hire him? Are you kidding? Can I trust him with anything of value? No. He has proved his morals.

A felony conviction and time in jail. He won't get 38 years, more like 18 months and and actually serve 2 months. with 2 yrs probation.

But the stain will remain...

Jim, Houston, US

38 years???? for this?? it's way over the top... and the college has to be blamed too for lack of security mechanisms in place to prevent this from the start.. its far better to get him a couple of months of community service..38 years in prison..? No way.. He can be an asset to his town someday..

Rajshekhar, India, India

Wow.

When I was in school they would take care of the problem by changing grades, suspending or expelling the student. Instead these cowards call in the police and the DA threatens half this kid's life in prison!

This should not be a criminal matter at all. It should be handled administratively.

Evan , Santa Rosa, California

The counts presented against him are more technically wrong than morally so. The guy does not deserve even a decade of imprisonment.

Michael, Pineville, United States

I like this kid, sign him up with the CIA. The school should be under investigation for having an unsecured database. This is only one event that has surfaced, there are probably thousands just like it that are going unnoticed. 38 years is joke for this.

John, Phoenix,

38 years?! lets get a little bit of perspective here. a stupid kid did a stupid thing...

Laurence, leicester, uk

38 years is a little much. Why don't we save decades long prison sentences for dangerous offenders and not future computer engineers.

Emma, Montreal, Canada

38 years is ridiculous and a complete waste of taxpayers money! He should get probation and community service. This is a high school kid!! What's wrong with this country?????

jane, harbor springs, usa

There was no hacking involved. The word should be completely removed from the article.

If anybody should have consequences it should be the idiots employed by the school district who undoubtedly had their passwords written on post-it notes and stuck to their monitors.

AW, San Diego, USA

Idiotic. These look like good kids. They screwed up a little bit. The schools are overreacted.

Paul, Manchu, FU,

Ted, San Diego, US

You've just proved my point.

jayil, london, uk

Here's something to consider...he's 18, he broke the law. Who knows how this is going to turn out. It's not his parent's fault ("where were his parents") it's not society's fault (I sure didn't have anything to do with it). It's HIS fault. I KNOW it's that dreaded personal responsibility.

Bob, Reno, USA

Let me tell you coming from 30 years of effort to dispel the damage done by the principal's son and friends to MY grades in high school. They took good grades and turned them to bad. My SAT scores and subsequent work in college courses eventually cleared my name, but what a mess they created for me.

Carl E., Manchaca, USA

The US does have some tough laws, but it's doubtful that Khan will get 38 years. He might get two, but I'm not even sure of that.

I do think that Sheriff Amormino has it right; when this is all said and done, these kids will wish they had just spent all that time studying rather than cheating.

David, Annapolis, US

Hey guys, I live in the US. The word you should be looking at is "faces", they "face" 38 years. That is if the prosecutors get everything that they ask for - not likely to happen unless these kids have been in major trouble before. I just want children to earn their grades, not cheat to get them.

Kelly, Birmingham, AL, USA

Should he really get more time in prison than a teacher who rapes students. 38 years seems a bit much.

Jay, California, us

Colleges in the US turn down excellent potential students daily because their selection systems are so flawed. This and high school college counsellors are horrible. The kid probably wouldn't have done what he did if somebody had realized his potential years ago. Blame the parents and the school.

Matt, Pasadena, USA

Let's send all the illegal hackers to Hacker Island where, cut off from all the other world's computers, they can hack each other to their heart's content till they get the hacking virus out of their system, that is if they can hack it. I'm hacked off with these people.

Kevin Straw, Leicester,

I know what he did was wrong but I think the potential 38 year sentence is over the top. Murderers get less.

A little perspective please.

Simon, Sydney, Australia

Hire them. If you want to fix the problem they are the ones you need

Marti, Steilacoom,

He's not going to jail for 40 years people. He hasn't even had a trial. If he's convicted the sentences won't be consecutive. Most of these will be plea bargained to lesser charges. This kid will not be crucified, but he will be punished. Not for 40 years.

Keith, Mobile, Alabama, USA

why dont 1 of the special services recruit him for tracking down osma bin laden or someone they need to get hold of 38yrs will do nothing at all

sam, crowthorne, berkshire

to jayil, london UK: you obviously don't know anything about America. In America it is about who you are, not where you are from. Your simple minded caricature that [In America: Muslim = "Terrorist"] is based on your own biases as opposed to reality. Son of an immigrant, GOD bless America.

C. Miller, Pasadena, United States of America

The kid is anything but a genius. If he was he wouldn't have changed his grades to As, and he wouldn't have been getting Fs in the first place. Plus, he "hacked" into the computer system by using teachers' passwords - hardly a feat of super technical computer literacy! Dishonest sneaky schoolboy.

Maria, East Mids,

He'll probably get released on probation and get a job working on anti-spyware making a great paycheck. Only in America.........

John, N.Haven, USA

It shows the inhumanity of the US penal system (the worst in the world).
A month in jail maybe, 38 years?? I'd rather live in the 3rd reich or stalins russia.

Keith, wigan, uk

40 years for this! And we have people committing truly heinous crimes such as murder, rape, etc., stealing, who don't even serve a couple of years. Seriously, ridiculous!

Chris, Santa Clarita, USA

Muslim = Terrorist? Really...your algebra is a little off. And if you haven't noticed, soon all of London will be facing Mecca and praying 5 times a day because of your lack of a back bone towards your national identity.

Ted, San Diego, US

"I'm supprised why they didn't send him to Guantanamo Bay
In America; Muslim = "Terrorist"

jayil, london, uk"

Not true by a long shot and ironically very stereotypical. It's strange how those who eschew stereotypes often wind up using them.

James Boney, Little Rock, USA

4 decades is harsh, even rapists don't get sentences that long. I would expect probation.

Liz, Phoenix, USA

I'm supprised why they didn't send him to Guantanamo Bay
In America; Muslim = "Terrorist"

jayil, london, uk

I am amazed by all of the people on this forum that are expressing admiration for this kid and saying things like "get him a job" or "give him a computer scholarship." Has the world really "progressed" to the point where integrity and character don't matter a whit? Apparently so. Sad.

D.A. Terry, Austin, Texas, USA

Lock'em up!

Chris Anton, Yuba City, USA

38 years!!! c'mon Don't child molesters get less? I can see 2 or 3 years but 38 years! What are we? Singapore?

Dominic Pace, Los Angeles, United States

To "Drew from Toronto": according to the article, it seems his application was rejected before the school had the transcripts which would imply that the school considers much more than grades and test scores alone. Fine words from a country where students are flocking to attend college!

Drew, Mobile, AL, USA

The US criminal justice system shoots itself in the foot unaided.
Patriot Act: "Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001". Nothing to do with being patriotic at all. Rather the opposite.

Andrew Milner, Karuizawa, Japan

Obviously its not just the transcript grades & the SAT scores any longer, but its the overall portfolio: application & essay, recommendations, student life extracurriculars. Even an interview can make an applicant stand out.

I'm a High School teacher who has been through the UC system.

KL, Los Angeles, CA, USA

Expulsion from school, possibly with a community service order to provide useful service to sick or disadvantaged people, so that he learns not to take the advantages of his background for granted, should be sufficient punishment.

Miland Joshi, Birmingham, UK

Betcha he won't even do 5.

Mr. Tari, Santa Cruz, U.S.A.

Put this boy in charge of the CIA. He's a national treasure! This kid's not stupid, he's bored. Make him do the school year over and graduate the honest way then put him into government service. Frake Abignail wound up working for the FBI and now owns his own consulting firm.

Bob R., Tulsa, USA

Puh-lease. The kid, even if convicted, is not going to face 40 years in prison. That's just the maximum amount allowable but there will surely be sentencing guidelines, etc. in place.

If anything, after he gets punished, he'll have job opportunities. He's obviously talented at computers.

Chris, New York, USA

He should face the reality of his sense of false entitlement sooner than later to make good in life; NOT be let off the hook, complete education without cushy fringe benefits of home/affluence under the penal system while performing tons of community service. He won't get the max.

maverick muse, Austin, USA

America must modernise their laws in line with the real world. This young man must be taught a lesson, one he should have to re-sit his exams, charged for breaking & entry, & community service & a fine. 38 years for a youngster with no previous crimes, is the wrong answer.

Daphne Kenward, Cambridge, UK

This is ridiculous, barely 18 and facing almost 4 decades in prison because of a wondering intelligence and a sense of social alienation. This is what american law does... we care not for your story, we are to busy speaking amongst ourselves.

Daniel, TX, US

Sensationalist "journalism". The student has been convicted of nothing at this stage, so any and all criticism of an entire justice system based on nothing is merely kneejerk anti-US sentiment. Grow up.

John Claro, Cleggan, Eire

They would have faced far less time had they simply forced the teachers to change their grades at gunpoint.

Pete Castle, El Segundo, USA

The penalty may be stiff....but he could as easily have stolen your identity and hacked into your bank account. Think you'd be as forgiving then? If he got away with this...he would have been emboldened and gone for bigger prey. His race had nothing to do with it.

Beverly Daniel, Newalla,Ok, USA

What's great are that colleges rejected him on straight As. Just goes to show that the only thing that matters to American post-secondary institutions are the applicants SAT scores. Fantastic lesson to teach to children there....

Drew, Toronto, Canada

This is ridiculous ,school rules punishment yes,then get the man a job in computing or something.

Antoine, Warsaw, Poland

Interesting comments. As a Certified Internal Auditor and frequent participant in fraud investigations, this shouldn't be left off his record. A felony conviction, six month's of 'shock' time in minimum security, and probation with a requirement of getting his GED and at least an AA would be best.

Jim Carter, Washington, MO, USA

If all these counts are used against him at trial; if he is convicted of all of them; if he recieves the maximun sentence in each; and if they do not run concurrently he COULD get up to 38 years. Won't happen. He'll get some sort of probation. Don't fall for sensationalist journalism.

Mike, Houston, Texas

C'mon people, think out of the box !

I strongly advise that one of the major Financial institutions employ him (first force him to pass school exams honestly). He should be employed as an IT security expert to investigate loop-holes in computer systems and advise how to secure such systems.

Mahdi, Cape Town, SA

He should be a politician, or at least work for one. He's got the skills... Let's vote him in for President!

Mark, Ocean Shores, USA

I would not want this burglar, liar, thief, and cheater running my computer network. He has already shown he is willing to break in to a building and steal. Why would anyone trust him with their computer data? You would be a fool to hire someone who puts this much work into being dishonest.

Joe, Texas,

Funny thing is that I will probably be working for this kid ten years from now when he takes his multinational multibillion dollar company public.

Brian W., Los Angeles, USA

Meanwhile in Britain, bin Laden's man in Europe is released from prison and given a home and trappings - all at the taxpayers' expense.

Funny old world.

Sean, Surrey, UK

Wish I could say I am surprised. The school, however, has done the right thing. This sort of corruption has got to stop. Where does it end, if it doesn't? As well, it is only the fair thing to do regarding those students who have played by the rules and are doing the right thing.

J. Jarvis, Oceanside, USA

It's easy to say "boys will be boys", but this over-privileged young man represents the decadence that is rotting the western world. If I were handing out penalties I would make it impossible for him to get into any college. His sentence should be flipping burgers for life.

Dave, London, Canada

People, calm down! He "could" get 38 years because of the CRIMES he commited. Theft, breaking and entering,and computer fraud are ALL crimes. Due to his age, he will probably get probatation! Dont let the media once again influence your thoughts and reactions withsensationalism reporting. (it sells)

Rich, Westbury, NY

He should get some jail time, maybe six months, if its first offense. Also repeat the grade and probation!!!

Nick Hollis, Gulfport, usa

let me get this straight, he broke into the school computer to change his failing grades, i hope one of them wasn't in computer science.

jaymon, stafford, usa

wow this is the reason why there are hardly any spaces in our prisons now, and they let stone cold killers free after 25 years, i dont think 38 years is right, in my opinion he should just be kicked out of the college.

John, london,

Mean while the US border is wide open. Illegal aliens are running around every where committing crimes and spreading disiese. And there is supposidly a terrorist hiding around every corner. But they will waste more time going after some high school punk who should just be kicked out of school.

Jason, Fairfax, USA

Any prison time would be a joke. This kid needs to be expelled and denied his high school diploma, but that's about it.

From there he should probably make up the mistake with a GED and then go into IT because he's clearly well suited for it!

Christopher J, Bloomfield Hills, USA

This guy may be silly but don't murderers and rapists get a lot less time in jail?? The schools should increase their security and teachers need to protect their passwords better. This not justice, this is a railroading. Imagine - 38 years maximum for changing grades and sending out test answers. KH

Ken, Brooklyn, USA

Chris, i think you are confusing your Matthew Broderick films. It was War Games in which the hacking took place and look where that nearly ended up. 38 years is a small price if we can avoid all-out nuclear war......

Rob, Bristol, UK

In the USA, prosecutors typically overcharge defendants to encourage the defendant to "plea bargain" the charges. The defendant will plead guilty to one of the middle or lesser charges, saving the state or municipality the cost of a trial.

He'll serve only 1 or 3 years in prison, if that.

Edward, New York, NY, USA

Unbelievable. And these guys are meant to be the leaders of the free world. The USA has a lot to learn from the rest of the world.

adam, london, uk

and drug dealers get what???2-5 years? Dopes

Tim, Richmond, USA

hilarious! If only he spent his time revising for his exams! 38 years does sound a little big... perhaps he can change that via wireless in prison to 28 days.

Giles, London, UK

Typical liberal overreaction, the California school system that is. This would be the same mindset that calls for SWAT & the ATF when firecrackers go off! Make him repeat his senior year and let his parents take care of the rest. They they will handle the punishment angle far better.

Thomas, Medfield, USA

Guys, keep in mind this California and does not reflect the entire United States of America. The media is inciting a reactionary response by stating the max punishment he could get. First time, young, offenders usually get off with probation. Don't fall into the media blitz.

Kyle, Fort Worth, USA

From what I see here, the boy (1) CHEATED on tests. After receiving failing grades (2) STOLE keys, & (3) broke into areas he had no business entering, (4) deliberately altered his grades to A's, & (5) altered grades for others.

And he's supposed to get a slap on the wrist for this? Come on!

Troy, Columbus, USA

Congratulate this young man on his start into politics!

jjm, london, uk

You are being a bit sensationalist. Just because punishment for his crimes could amount to 38 years, many would run con-currently. His main crime is one of lack of respect. He not only alteres his own grades, but those of other students. That does not show respec for the education system.

Ron, Milton Keynes, UK

Debbie, Sunnyvale - Lying and Cheating are 'crimes' in the USA are they? Well no, they're not. Yet...

Adam Neilson, Birmingham,

This kid hasn't even been tried yet, but the BBC has decided that he has definitely been sentenced to 38 years in prison. He's under arrest and being held in detention. That's all. Why not wait until news happens to report it? Truth in journalism? No.

MJ Hoeber, Orlando, USA

How long did Mike Tyson server for rape? Three years.

Adrian, London,

Omar is a genius. Please don't, don't destroy his life.

San Ying, Montreal, Canada

"If this was happening in England, he would have been let off with a caution"
yes. the punishment is too harsh for a substandard education. USA is going down the drains for its broken justice system. In a few years nobody will want to live there anymore if they steal peoples rights

Daniel, ny, usa

Muslim school boy faces 38 years for exam cheat and in UK Abu Qatada an alleged "terrorist" is freed. This certainly shows that U.K are unbiased, fair, balanced, law-abiding & much more civilised then the racist US of A.

jayil, london, uk

This is a kid who did something stupid - most likely because he felt pressured to perform - and now he has to spend 38 years in jail? Even if he doesn't go to jail, he will carry this along with him for life.

And for what? He's just a kid. The real crime here is his prosecution.

Wynand Winterbach, Pretoria, South Africa

Success in life does not depend upon how one gets a grade, just that one succeeds. His incompetance led to getting caught and so he is unsucessful. Many people do what most people would consider cheating all the time, if they knew about it, and they are very successful in life.

Calvin Hobbes, Yahoo, TX, U.S.

The "school head is guilty?" The "school is at fault?"
NOOOO! The only ones who are GUILTY are the ones who cheated and committed a crime.

Saying the school is guilty is like saying a girl in a short dress is "asking for it." Disgusting.

Dulcinea, Provo, USA

If this was happening in England, he would have been let off with a caution

victor arram, westcliff,

Stories like this make me laugh. Clearly this kid should be encouraged to take up a career in IT - possibly quite a lucrative one - and not undergo the pre-determined Academic path set by his parents. It clearly isn't his natural field if he's getting F's all the time.

Nick_MX, Brighton,

He should be applauded for his ingenuity, then recruited by the government.

Dave Green , Beijing, China

I think that this case demonstrates just how punitive and backward the US "justice" system really is. Undoubtedly this kid has done wrong and should be punished, but 38 years is a ridiculous sentence. I expect that this is longer than most rapists get, and for a crime that was not violent.

Phil Mackenzie, London, UK

Not that Omar and Tanvir shouldn't be punished, but given the bias of the "majority" in America, I can't help but wonder if more reasonable consequences would be meted out if their names were Tad Smith or Hunter Grey and they were less "ethnic" in appearance. Just fine, expel & leave them back!

D Best, Alexandria, USA

This is not "Hacking" this is a security breach brought on by incompetent teaching staff allowing their passwords to be stolen.
The school head is guilty of not having stricter password policies in place via the IT support team. Omar is guilty of breaking and entering and using stolen passwords.

Adrian Staff, Bishop Auckland, England

See now if there's a moral in all of this, aim low. If your going to do something like this change it to a D or C Minus. All A's is just a giant red flag.

Joe, Brooklyn, NY, USA

The school is at fault as well. It seems incredible that a student could have hacked into the school system without an alert being raised. Surely with such poor grades the teachers should have been in touch with the parents.

michael, Sydney, Australia

Computer crime is a horrible thing. Wretched behavior like this ruins people's lives. Make an example of this failed student.

When I failed two senior courses almost 50 years ago, I went to school in the summer term so I could get the credits I needed for graduation.

JM in San Diego CA, San Diego, United States

This is so stupid. The story is just a reason for the rest of the world to jump on the U.S. Yes, he might go to jail, but only because he committed these crimes as an adult. You can be sure he will will not actually serve more than a few months, if any at all. He doesn't deserve more anyhow.

tim, newport beach, usa

38 yrs...what a joke..
We have the likes ofMartha Stewart, who cheated small guys, get away w/ serving 5 months sentence at a so called 'Camp Cupcake' and liars in White House whose lies have coasted our childrens' lives and our economic ruins. Lets start the 38 yrs prison time with these clowns!

Lorie K., Irvine, USA

Bobby C, I think you have it backwards. In the United States, "facing 38 years" means that if he is convicted of all charges he could potentially be sentenced to 38 years. He, of course, will spend nothing like that that amount of time in jail.

Duscany, LA, USA

While cheating is despicable, the prosecution should focus on the parents. So many modern parents are more concerned with intimidating their children to achieve academically than with instilling them with a sense of honor and ethics. The parents may be as much at fault, yet go unpunished.

Nic, Orange County, USA

I am a conservitive...But this is overkill in terms of juctice....

6-months to a year is enough and make him repeat his last year in school after he is out.

Roy Galutia, Selah, USA

He needs to pay for this. Lying, cheating, stealing, etc. are crimes in the US. I agree, 38 years is excessive, but not if we started giving child molesters, murderers, etc. 100 years or death. Hmmmmmm, maybe would should start and then Omar would not feel his sentence was too excessive.

Debbie, Sunnyvale, United States

Yes, he should be punished BUT 38 yrs when we give murders only 14 yrs, or rapists only 2 yrs...
...
By the way back in the 70's had he done this, and a few kids did EXACTLY what he did because I knew them, they only got 6 months probation.
And no joke many got high paying jobs in Silicon Valle

Bubba Lew, Edmonton, Canada

I think the misplaced outrage among the comments from Americans is due to a difference in British and American English. In the U.S., "faces 38 years in jail" unambiguously means that the person was convicted and sentenced to 38 solid years behind bars. In Britain it refers only to potential time.

Bobby, D.C., USA

Was shocked to see the picture of Omar - he is a friend of my son' at Tesoro. He was always courteous and polite to me and my husband. I know he comes from a strict home. Not to excuse his illegal activities, but the pressure is huge to get into a CA U.. Reminds me of Watergate. Political Future?

Deborah , Coto de Caza, USA

Only in America, the world's greatest country.
Why not just give him a slap on the wrist and tell him that cheating will help him in the long run, that is what would have happened in my days in the UK, he has hardly commited a serious crime as far as I am concerned

Christian Moore, Hong Kong,

38 years for changing your grades ? Is he Muslim and is this sentencing to do with "war on terror" ? Murderers can get off for less... This is utterly ridiculous but I guess with this guy's ethnic background, he pretty much asked for it. A white kid would have gotten dentention for a week.

John Taylor, London,

Your going to give a guy 38 years for hacking his grades, yet convicted child molestors dont even get anywhere close to that????

HST, Pittsburgh, USA

It would be a shame to lock up talent. I bet the kid gets probation and goes on to live a largely successful life as a computer security guru.

Matt, Denver, USA

The kid ought to be put on a chain gang and pick up trash for a year, then for another 5 years speak to teenagers about being a convicted felon and its consequences: only shame and humiliation will teach him a lesson.

Nancy, Paris, USA

Yeah, let me get this straight. There is consideration that one of Manson's girls is going to get a compassionate release, but we are going to waste taxpayers dollars to put some flunking kid in jail for 38 years...???
Rapist, murders, corporate tax frauds get away with doing little to no time in??

Denise, NYC,

I'm pretty sure I could steal a car right now and get max 5 years in prison (if that). I know a guy who smuggled 72 pounds of pot across the Canadian border and served 1 year. And they want to throw him in the pen for 38? Give me a break. Have him pay for all the new locks they have to put on.

Biff, Chicago, USA

Another fluff story about nothing important at all.

Poor little rich kid, to bad his immigrant parents worked themselves into a heart attack to get rich just so he could urinate it all away. The curse of the Nouveau Riche.

Angus MacPherson, San Francisco, USA

How is being“a really nice kid” and saying “There’s a lot more going on than meets the eye.'" an defense? What does personality have anything to do with whether not he broke the law?

joseph Grigoletti, Québec, Canada

This is perverse.

John Walthall, Henrietta, USA

The dude did the crime, let him do the time. Let's say he'd gone on to college and med school, whose life would he have put on the line cuz he didn't want to study?

Indga, NYC, US

If he was 17 he would be facing juvenile court and a probation. The arrest is the crime.. Get a life Orange County

james andrew, sacramento, usa

He should be working for the GOP. Would fit right in.

Tom, Toronto, Canada

What don't you people understand? It is was not the changing of the of the grades. It was altering and stealing public records, computer fraud, burglary, identity theft, receiving stolen property and conspiracy is why he was arrested. This is no different than hacking into your bank or credit cards

Scott G., Denver, USA

Master keys are easy to obtain now. A student merely needs to "borrow" the master and make some measurements, or manage to steal an actual lock and an ordinary key for it. There are directions on the net for "upping" any issued key to a master if you have access to key blanks- also sold over the net

Andrew P, Alexandria, VA

So, as I read the list of charges, many of them sound like something an "Undocumented" (read illegal alien) does, and they get an offer of amnesty (I'm sorry, "it's not amnesty" according to John McVain). But, he could get maybe 30 years. This country is royally screwed up.

Joseph Wootten, Malvern, United States

He can get an early release in just ten years if he will only rob and kill somebody.

Tom Roberts, Los Angeles, USA

Don't put the kid in jail, put him in the CIA.

Charles Pond, Mobile, AL, USA

Im an IT manager. I would hire this kid in a second!

Eddie, Philly, USA

That's just a wee bit overboard, don't you think?????

Janet Fuls, Cottonwood, CA USA

Okay, breaking into a school and changing grades on a computer is *not* hacking. Just because it involves a computer does not make it "hacking."
All this kid did was find a password, break into a school and use the teacher's account to change grades. What they would do for a story.

Abbie, Pensacola, USA

"altering and stealing public records, computer fraud, burglary, identity theft, receiving stolen property and conspiracy," Sounds more than just cheating to me. Sounds to me like criminal activities. Since when is burglary a slap on the wrist offense?

jojo, Providence,

I can't believe we are going to waste so much time and tax payer money on this "trial".

Just kick the kid out of school ... make him repeat the 12th grade somewhere else with a black mark on his permanent record.

No one should be jailed over this. We have bigger problems to deal with!

George W, Los Angeles, USC

And we cannot forget that this is California where murderers and child rapists go free because they are rich and famous. This guy will be working for the state within a year making seven figures and the school will be blamed for having a computer that enticed him to hack into.

T J Frazier, Anchorage,

He should have thrown a few B's into the mix, the twit.
L)

Seph, Montreal, Canada

He stole a master key, forcing taxpayers to pay thousands of dollars to rekey every lock. He compromised the school computers, costing thousands more for IT pros to fix the problems. He distributed test keys to other students, costing honest students their rightful ranking. He deserves jail time.

Marty, St. Peters, USA

Matthew Broderick stole passwords and changed his grades in Wargames, not Ferris Bueller's Day off. In Ferris he changed his number of school absences. Get your 80's movie facts right!

Brandt, Dana Point,

Such a waste of talent. We need to set a clear example here. No doubt this is "a real nice kid". So are many criminals. I was vandalised by cyber criminals and told by police the case would likely not be investigated. It´s like being raped. I felt very violated and the feeling stayed with me.

Einar G, San Diego,

Perhaps the teachers should be looked at more closely. He obviously deserves better than an F. Or perhaps he was understimulated in his classes and didn't have the health insurance available to get loaded up with Ritalin like they do to the rest of the distracted but brilliant youth in this country

Dan, Bennington, USA

Let him check his email before he goes to jail. He'll probably be able to change his sentence from 38 years to 3.8 days.

George, Oakland, USA

So let me get this straight. An illegal alien can rape an 11 year old girl and get 5 years, but a mere grade switcher gets 38? What wrong with this picture. Shame on you Orange County!

Josh, Ft Worth, USA

How simplistic Eleanor, it's all Hollywood's fault. It couldn't possibly have to do with our entitled culture where bad behavior is excused by classifying it an illness. Pump everyone full of drugs and then wonder why no one has a conscious any longer. It's Psychology, not Hollywood.

Elizabeth, San Francisco, USA

Stolen Passwords, Stolen Keys, and Implanting spyware does not a hacker make. Just a low down thief. People like this ruin degrees for all those who actually work for there grades. This guy is clearly a fool who regularly cheats and steals, Keep him off the street - we got enough thieves to catch

M Louis Maiale, Allen Park, USA

Nobody would have done much if he hadn't burgled the school. As it is, the 39 years is just a headline grabber. Most likely outcome is probation plus 0-30 days in jail, maybe 60 max.

Quoting max. sentences is impressive... a person CAN get a year for drunk driving. In practice, they get one day.

D,T. Hardy, Tucson, USA

Slightly over the top for breaking into school and altering test resu