Bogus OU Article Could Lead To Felony Charges

Most people know that when it comes to the internet the truth can be hard to determine. This point was brought to life on Thursday when a man wrote a bogus article about OU quarterbacks Sam Bradford and Landry Jones arrested for drug charges. It was meant as a joke, but online line pranks are no laughing matter.

NewsOn6.com anchor Margaret Stokes reports the author of the article could now be facing felony charges.

"It's a lot easier to use a computer in the commission of a fraud. In this particular instance could be looked at as a little grey, but as I read it, it falls under Oklahoma computer crime statutes and is a felony," said TPD Det. Scott Wanzer of the Cyber Crimes Unit.

The fake article appeared authentic. It was formatted on an online newspaper's template. Experts say it's easy to do and happens all the time.

"It's trivial. You can find an image or a logo that you like off the website, the place you're trying to spoof. Grab it any number of ways. Then you can sort of skin it and use it for your own purposes. A child could do it," said TU Professor John Hale.

Thanks to the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act, cyber crime often results in a huge penalty.

According to the Cyber Crimes Unit of the Tulsa Police Department the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act is fairly broad compared to other states.

According to Detective Wanzer, most of the time this law is used, there is a specific intent to gain money or something of value.

In this case it may appear as a joke gone too far, but it potentially effects the website's reputation and the author of the fake article likely faces felony charges.

Now this practical joke could cost $5,000 to $100,000 as well as prison time.

Police say pranksters tend to think they can never be discovered, but almost always are.

"Even if he signed on anonymously, you have to jump through several hoops to truly be anonymous. So chances are we find people that don't think they can be found," said Detective Wanzer.