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Press Release |
U.S. Department of Justice |
United States Attorney Steven M. Biskupic announced today that a federal grand jury had returned a 13-count indictment charging Joseph D. Konopka, d.o.b. 6/24/76, of Green Bay, Wisconsin with 9 different violations of federal law relating to conspiracy, the destruction of energy facilities, the destruction of telecommunication facilities, the disabling of air navigation facilities, the arson of buildings, trafficking in counterfeit goods, intercepting electronic communications and causing damage to a protected computer.
Count one of the indictment alleges that Konopka conspired from February 14, 1998 to January 25, 2001 to injure or destroy communication facilities, energy facilities, air navigation facilities and buildings used in interstate commerce. The indictment also alleges 53 separate overt acts that Konopka conspired to commit with others in furtherance of the conspiracy. The indictment alleges that these overt acts caused approximately 28 power outages and approximately 20 other service interruptions affecting in excess of 30,000 power customers and causing damages in excess of $800,000. This crime is punishable by up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Counts two and three of the indictment charge Konopka with damaging the property of energy facilities located in Green Bay and Markesan, Wisconsin. This crime is punishable by up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Count four of the indictment charges Konopka with disabling an air navigation facility in Ledgeview, Wisconsin. This crime is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Counts five and six of the indictment charge Konopka with interfering with the working and use of telecommunication systems located in Oxford and Kaukauna, Wisconsin. This crime is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Counts seven and nine of the indictment charge Konopka with using fire to damage buildings using interstate commerce and located in Algoma and Shiocton, Wisconsin. This crime is punishable by 5-20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Counts eight and ten of the indictment charge Konopka with using fire to commit the federal felony offenses alleged in counts seven and nine of the indictment. This crime is punishable by an additional 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Count eleven charges Konopka with trafficking in counterfeit goods, namely, “Electronic Arts” software. This crime is punishable by 10 years in prison and a $2 million fine.
Count twelve of the indictment charges Konopka with causing damage in excess of $5,000 to a protected computer owned by an internet service provider known as “Ultimate Fun World 2". This crime is punishable by 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Finally, count thirteen of the indictment alleges Konopka intercepted electronic communications between customers of two internet service providers known as Ultimate Fun World and Infinity Technology. This crime is punishable by 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
This case was investigated by the Milwaukee Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other federal and local law enforcement agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Chicago, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the Kewaunee County Sheriff’s Department, Brown County Sheriff’s Department, Shawano County Sheriff’s Department, Door County Sheriff’s Department, Outagamie County Sheriff’s Department, Oconto County Sheriff’s Department, Marquette County Sheriff’s Department, Green Lake County Sheriff’s Department, Adams County Sheriff’s Department, Marinette County Sheriff’s Department, Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department, Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Department, Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Department, Ripon Police Department, Sturgeon Bay Police Department, Green Bay Police Department, University of Illinois-Chicago Police Department and Chicago Police Department.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephen A. Ingraham.
The public is cautioned that an indictment is an initial charging document and does not, in and of itself, create an inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until such time, if ever, as the government establishes his or her guilt by competent evidence beyond a reasonable doubt.
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