Long arm of law reaches into World of Warcraft

[Are_grits_groceries]

The virtual world of online gaming seems like the perfect place to hide. There is plenty of anonymity, and it’s almost impossible for someone to trace activity back to its source, right? Wrong.

Two weeks ago, Howard County Sheriff’s Department deputy Matt Roberson tracked down a wanted fugitive through one of the most popular games on the Internet — World of Warcraft. And he got his man.

“You hear stories about you can’t get someone through the Internet,” said Roberson. “Guess what? You can. I just did. Here you are, playing World of Warcraft, and you never know who you’re playing with.”

In this case, online gamers were playing alongside Alfred Hightower, a man wanted on charges of dealing in a schedule III controlled substance and dealing in a schedule IV controlled substance, and two charges of dealing in marijuana. A warrant was issued for his arrest in 2007.

The sheriff’s department enlisted the aid of the U.S. Marshals this summer to track down a number of fugitives as part of Operation: Falcon, and Hightower was among those targeted. Unfortunately, authorities were unable to locate him. Roberson soon found out why. The suspect had skipped the country.
<snip>
With the help of sheriff’s major Steve Rogers, Roberson began gathering information on Hightower through a number of sources. That is how they discovered that their suspect was a World of Warcraft fan.
<snip>
Indeed, World of Warcraft is among the most popular online pastimes today, boasting more than 14 million players in dozens of countries — including Canada. But this is the Internet, and Blizzard is in California. Roberson’s subpoena was nothing more than a politely worded request, considering the limits of his law enforcement jurisdiction and the ambiguity of the online world.

“They don’t have to respond to us, and I was under the assumption that they wouldn’t,” said Roberson. “It had been three or four months since I had sent the subpoena. I just put it in the back of my mind and went on to do other things. Then I finally got a response from them. They sent me a package of information. They were very cooperative. It was nice that they were that willing to provide information.”

Blizzard did more than cooperate. It gave Roberson everything he needed to track down Hightower, including his IP address, his account information and history, his billing address, and even his online screen name and preferred server. From there it was a simple matter to zero in on the suspect’s location.
http://kokomoperspective.com/news/local_news/article_15a0a546-f574-11de-ab22-001cc4c03286.html

Blizzard was that accomodating with just a 'request'? Beware WOW.

[Fumesucker]

1. Interesting that they didn't mention that cannabis is a schedule I controlled substance..

With schedule I being the most highly restricted..

Basically this guy was a small time dealer, look at the amount of law enforcement time and taxpayer money just shoveled down the drain to catch a non-violent "criminal"..

No wonder our governments are going broke, they are just ate up with teh stupid..

[Are_grits_groceries]

2. That too.

I think that there are much more dangerous criminals to hunt. What do I know? Weed is the gateway to all crime according to twee minds.

[thunder rising]

3. Like those Horde 60 gankers that hang around Lakeshire!!!

[madokie]

4. I agree with that

I"ve been a pot smoker for years but I haven't sold any in close to 40 years and that was only because I had grown more than I could burn up myself that summer and I've never felt like I'm a criminal that needs to be locked up or fucked with in any way. I'm law abiding, in fact otherwise 100% law abiding. Everyone has his crutch, or most everyone anyway.

[Fumesucker]

12. Most of the small time dealers I'm aware of do it mostly to support their own habit.

Buy in smallish quantities at a somewhat reduced price, sell even smaller quantities at a higher price and get your own dope as profit.

[tabasco]

20. I concur.

Another reason to end marijuana prohibition.

[endless october]

5. when will they arrest the liquor store owners who play WOW?

or how about the gas station owners that sell tobacco? tobacco actually kills people.

our jails are full of non-violent drug offenders. that's why the states are going broke.

[Fla_Democrat]

6. Good, one less

ore ninja getting my titanium node while I'm fighting the mobs. :evilgrin:

[Jamastiene]

8. ...

:spray:

Now, THAT is how a true gamer thinks. I love it. :rofl:

[Fuzz]

15. lmao, what server you on? Mok Nathal here.

;)

[thunder rising]

21. I know what you mean. I'm planning a killing spree in Alterac Valley .... bwahaaahaa

[Jamastiene]

7. So, they spent all that time, effort, and energy to bag a dope fiend.

Yet, violent criminals, including predators who molest children, rapists, murderers, and gangs roam free.

What a crock of shit. They really need to re-examine their priorities when it comes to fighting crime.

[notesdev]

9. Ah, but can the long arm of the law...

... beat Saurfang on Heroic mode?

[Are_grits_groceries]

10. Are you kidding?

They couldn't win 'Old Maid.'

[Union Yes]

19. They'd wipe on Hogger. =)

[YOY]

11. Wow. A small-time drug dealer.

You go get 'em Johnny Law! :eyes:

For a second I thought they might have a real criminal on their hands...some child molester or a murderer or some large scale scam artist...but no...some guy who sold some weak ass drugs. Money says the others were X, LSD, or shrooms or the like...

[Fumesucker]

13. Nope, those all would be schedule I..

Those were some kinds of prescription pills..

Dilaudids or Valiums or whatever the latest prescription stuff is, I've been away from that scene long enough not to have much of a clue.

[Union Yes]

14. But I , Metallion the lvl 80 hunter still plunder the land and roam free! =)

They haven't caught me yet!1!1!! :rofl:

:hi:

[Are_grits_groceries]

16. Hark!

Is that a knock I hear at your door? :P

[Union Yes]

17. ..

I feigned death.:hide:

:rofl:

[DainBramaged]

18. As Blizzard/Vivendi has proven time and again over the years, they have NO respect

for their player's/subscriber's privacy.