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3-27-96

Please spread this as widely as possible.  This information was received
secondhand from a friend of a friend of someone who was was involved in this.

Yesterday, March 26, 1996, law enforcement officers from the FBI and the
Virginia State Police executed a warrant to search the residence where the
equipment comprising "The Wall BBS" resides.  The warrant also covered the
area of the residence occupied by the person whose business is primarily
conducted in the same room where the BBS equipment resides.  (I will further
refer to this person as "Kevin", as that is his name.)

Specificly, they were looking to seize any computers, media and other equipment
that might contain or might be used to store illegally copied software and
data, as well as any such that might be used to store records about the BBS
users (called "customers" in the warrant) and BBS usage.  The warrant also
covered searching for equipment that may be used to store information regarding
illegal credit and callling card numbers, and illegally obtained or "hacked"
accounts on other computer systems.

All of the BBS equipment was taken.  All of Kevin's own computer hardware with
which I am familiar -- hardware which is neither related to nor used for the
bbs -- was taken as well, including equipment that Kevin uses for his business.

Any sysops/co-sysops of other boards, or anyone who has posted any type of
account information on the Wall is advised to change those passwords
IMMEDIATELY.  Any phone numbers or addresses left on the BBS have been taken
as well, although according to the warrant, it is unclear whether or not law
enforcement may legally peruse private email.  (I believe no one reading this
is naive enough to come to the wrong conclusion about whether or not private
email will in fact be read.)

Likewise, as Kevin's own machines have been seized, law enforcement officers
have a list of essentially everyone to or of whom Kevin has spoken, or been
given the phone number.

No other sysops or bbs' were subject to search or seizure by law enforcement.
Several local DC area BBS' have shut down yesterday solely as a precaution.

