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Teenage hacker says government exaggerated case
September 3, 2003

"I understand that the government needs to catch someone for these crimes. I'm not the one they need to get," Jeffrey Parson says. (Hopkins High School yearbook)

Minneapolis, Minn. — (AP) - A Minnesota teenager charged with modifying a version of the Internet worm that crippled computer networks worldwide returned to high school this week and said the government has exaggerated its case against him.

While his parents appeared Tuesday on national television to defend him, Jeffrey Parson began his senior year at Hopkins High School, where he is allowed to attend while on electrical monitoring pending federal charges.

"We couldn't stop talking about him," said Tricia Livingston, 17, a Hopkins senior. "Who knew he could do that? He definitely put Hopkins on the map."

Since his high-profile arrest last week, Parson, 18, has said the media wrongly portrayed him as a computer-savvy loner and the government is after the wrong guy.

"I understand that the government needs to catch someone for these crimes. I'm not the one they need to get," Parson told a producer of NBC's "Today" show in an off-camera interview. A transcript was posted on MSNBC's Web site.

I'm not a loner. I have a very supportive, close group of friends. I'm not reckless, I don't do drugs, smoke or drink. This is the first time I have ever had a run-in with the law. - Jeffrey Parson

Asked whether he knew what he was doing, Parson said he doesn't fully understand the charges against him. And he said he's "the complete opposite" of the way he's been portrayed in news accounts.

"I'm not a loner," he said. "I have a very supportive, close group of friends. I'm not reckless, I don't do drugs, smoke or drink. This is the first time I have ever had a run-in with the law. It's hurtful to see the accounts of me. I'm not depressed, embarrassed about my weight, or a misfit."

Parson faces one count of intentionally causing damage to a protected computer. Conviction could bring a maximum 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

According to court papers, Parson admitted during an interview with the FBI and Secret Service agents that he created several variants of a computer worm known as "Blaster." Prosecutors said Parson's worm affected at least 7,000 computers; he is the first person charged in the computer attacks.

A federal judge ordered Parson to stay at home when not in school and forbade him to use computers in class.

Hopkins senior Dan Elliott said Parson didn't appear fazed by the attention as he hung out with friends between classes on the first day of school. Elliott, 17, described the 6-foot-4 Parson as a "gentle giant" but added that the incident might show you can't always judge someone on looks alone.

"I didn't even know he was into computers," Elliott said. "Well, if he was looking for attention, he certainly got it."

In their first public comments since their son's arrest, Bob and Rita Parson said on the "Today" show that their son is a "good kid" who's never been in trouble with the law. They said they were still shocked about the federal charge, and had no idea their son had anything to do with the attack.

The Parsons said their son was not a computer whiz, and spoke of him as an ordinary youth.

"My son is not brilliant; he's not genius," Rita Parson said. "Anyone that has any computer knowledge could have done what Jeff did. It doesn't take a level of genius to do this."

The Parsons said they do not yet have a lawyer because they cannot afford one. They said a local attorney has been appointed for their son, but will not represent him when he goes to court Sept. 17 in Seattle.

Bob Parson said his son is slowly becoming aware of the severity of the charges he faces. "I still don't think it's totally hitting him," he said. "I'm sure, slowly, it is."

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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