Crime doesn’t pay. Or more specifically, it does for a little while, then really comes back to get you later. Two Fresno State students found this out recently when they were charged with conspiracy, wire fraud, identity theft and unauthorized computer access – all for breaking into the school’s computer system and artificially boosting their grades.
According to PC World, 29-year-old John Escalera and 28-year-old Gustavo Razo Jr. could land 20 years in the slammer and up to $250,000 in fines for their academic tomfoolery. Allegedly, the men changed their university grades back in early 2004 using the school’s compromised computer system, and were caught when a later grade audit turned up the suspicious changes. A grand jury indicted them last week, and a hearing will be held on Nov. 16.
