ALBUQUERQUE teen accused of hacking NASA computer

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) _ Federal authorities have accused an Albuquerque teen-ager of hacking into a NASA computer at the Ames Research Center in Northern California. <br><br>Jason Schwab, 18, has been

Saturday, June 30th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) _ Federal authorities have accused an Albuquerque teen-ager of hacking into a NASA computer at the Ames Research Center in Northern California.

Jason Schwab, 18, has been charged with computer abuse and conspiracy to commit computer abuse, according to documents filed in Children's Court in Bernalillo County.

NASA officials said the computer system was compromised during the alleged attack in April 2000. They said files were modified and illegal accounts were added.

Schwab ``knowingly, willfully and without authorization, or having obtained authorization, directly or indirectly altered, changed, damaged, disrupted or destroyed any computer, computer network, computer property, computer service or computer system ...,'' according to a petition filed in court.

Schwab's attorney, Ted Martinez, said the teen is ``a good and honorable kid'' who has graduated from high school and is working.

``Basically, his position is he took no part in the computer abuse,'' Martinez said. ``We don't believe his involvement rises to the level of a crime.''

Assistant District Attorney Garry Breeswine declined to comment.