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TWO TEENS ARRESTED IN VA LAPTOP THEFT --
Teenagers in custody
and charges pending against a third male who is
a juvenile.
All information on VA data theft on this
page...
http://www.vawatchdog.org/va%20data%20theft%20news.htm
Story here...
http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/08/05/laptop.arrests.ap/
Story below:
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Teens arrested in VA laptop theft
Lawmaker: Agency 'must move forward' with
reforming security
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Two teenagers were arrested Saturday in the theft of
a laptop and hard drive containing sensitive data on up to 26.5 million
veterans and military personnel, authorities said.
The government-owned equipment was stolen May 3 during a burglary at the
Maryland home of a Veterans Affairs employee. The laptop and hard drive
were turned into the FBI on June 28 by an unidentified person in
response to a $50,000 reward offer.
The equipment contained the names, Social Security numbers and birth
dates of veterans discharged since 1975, in what was the worst-ever
breach of government data.
Jesus Alex Pineda, 19, and Christian Brian Montano, 19, both of
Rockville, Maryland, were arrested early Saturday, Montgomery County
police said.
Pineda was charged with first-degree burglary and theft over $500.
Montano was charged with first-degree burglary, conspiracy to commit
first-degree burglary, theft over $500, and conspiracy to commit theft
over $500.
Police said charges were pending against a third male suspect who is a
juvenile.
"I commend the FBI, Montgomery County Police, VA's Office of Inspector
General and other law enforcement agencies for their professionalism and
diligence throughout this investigation," Secretary of Veterans Affairs
R. James Nicholson said in a statement. "Today's announcement that
arrests have been made is good news."
Authorities said the suspects did not specifically target the VA
employee's home in Aspen Hill, Maryland, and did not realize the hard
drive contained veterans' information until the case was publicized.
Police did not have any information about attorneys for the suspects. A
bond hearing could be held Monday at the earliest, officials said.
The VA announced last month that the FBI has determined with a high
degree of confidence that the files were not compromised.
"While this arrest is good news, we were lucky that the data belonging
to veterans was not accessed and misused," Steve Buyer, chairman of the
House Veterans Affairs Committee, said in a statement.
"The vulnerability is real and with the help of Congress, VA must move
forward with information security reform," said Buyer, R-Indiana.
Congress is investigating the steps leading up to and after the theft.
It also is pondering legislation to improve information security.
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Larry Scott
