 Cross Lanes computer exec Martin Bowling apparently never imagined he would go to jail for stealing people’s credit card numbers and using them to make purchases — artwork, Cuban cigars, a beer-brewing kit and a host of other merchandise — on the Internet.
The day before he was sent to prison for computer fraud last week, Bowling was sending Twitter.com messages — “tweets” — to friends and clients, setting up meetings and the like.
The prosecutor recommended probation, but Kanawha Circuit Judge Jennifer Bailey smacked Bowling with three years in state prison — though he’s eligible for parole in less than a year. (Before you start feeling sorry for the 29-year-old computer whiz kid, Bailey could have sentenced him to up to 10 years.)
Bowling was chief technical officer at Cross Lanes-based COMAR Inc. and its subsidiary Vec3, and creator of a popular Web site called Zi.ma, which shortens Web address links.
Bowling’s purchases included a “robot” litter box for his four cats: Mr. Bones, Thumbalina, Mac and Cheese. We’ve been assured by Bowling’s friends — he has 1,300 followers on Twitter, by the way — that his girlfriend is taking excellent care of the cats while Bowling serves his time.
Just wondering. Can you “tweet” from jail? If it’s possible, we figure Bowling — who was known as the “resident evil genius” at COMAR – will find a way.
Subscribe to Sustained Outrage
This is a harsh sentence for a first-time, non-violent offender who appears to have cooperated immediately when confronted. also, Judge Walker is not known as a judge unwilling to show leniency when warranted.
So, why a prison sentence? Maybe because a felony sentencing hearing is not an occasion to be treated as a social networking opportunity where one aggrandizes one’s accomplishments.
A motion to reconsider the sentence can be filed. It might then be a good idea to forego the boasts about a “national reputation” and the number Twitter friends and avoid coming across as a self-absorbed, arrested adolescent who doesn’t perceive a little thing like stealing thousands of dollars as a big deal in light of his self-proclaimed status. that approach leaves a judge (or any neutral observer) with the impression the boy is either a BS artist of the highest order because he so embellishes his accomplishments or, in the alternative, makes the stealing that much worse because such a “brilliant” kid could obviously provide himself with the lifestyle to which he feels entitled by working rather than stealing.
It may be Walker will be receptive to modifying the sentence if Bowling demonstrates he understands the wrongfulness of his conduct and is sorry for something other than being caught Walker may have felt he just didn’t get it yet and a harsh initial sentence would be needed to wipe the smirk off his face and help him grow up.
[...] Charleston Gazette Blog: Resident evil genius [...]