Computer Crime Unit
Press Releases
Erie County Sheriff’s Office
10 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14202
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Monday, June 5, 2000
Contact: Chief Scott R. Patronik
(716) 858-6889
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, August 1, 2000
Contact: Chief Scott R. Patronik
(716) 858-6889
Erie County Sheriff’s Office Announces Arrest of an Amherst Man
for Internet Threats
The Erie County Sheriff’s Office Computer Crime Unit announces the arrest of an Amherst man for Aggravated harassment in the second degree, a class A misdemeanor. Roy S. Patel, 20 years old, is to be arraigned on August 17, 2000 in Amherst Town Court for allegedly using the Internet to send a death threat to a former acquaintance. Patel apparently sent numerous harassing messages, including this death threat, to several individuals in the Erie County area.
Patel is accused of sending the death threat, by utilizing an "Internet Messaging Robot", which is an Internet-to-Telephone Messaging Service, this provides users with a Web-based interface where they can enter a telephone number, a message and a time for the message to be sent. This "Internet Messaging Robot", would then call the phone number at the time indicated, convert the text message to a human synthesized speech and read it over the telephone to the intended party.
"Patel is charged with committing a rather traditional crime such as harassment, but utilizing the newest Internet technologies in order to attempt to hide his true identity." according to Chief Scott Patronik, Erie County Sheriff’s Computer Crime Unit. If convicted, Patel faces a maximum of 1 year imprisonment and/or up to a $1,000 fine.
This arrest came after an investigation was conducted by members of local law enforcement agencies who recently came together to form the “Cybercrime Initiative” in Western New York. The Cybercrime Initiative was created to deal with the investigations relating to high technology crimes. Agencies participating in this investigation include: The Erie County Sheriff’s Office, Erie County District Attorney's Office, FBI, and New York State Attorney General’s Office.
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