Jason Smathers, 25, from West Virginia, was arrested in June
2004 and pleaded guilty in February to the theft and sale of the
names to spammer Sean Dunaway, 21, from Las Vegas.
Dunaway, according to prosecutors, used the email addresses to
market his internet gambling business and then sold the original
list on to other internet marketers for up to $52,000. He allegedly
also sold an updated but smaller list for $32,500.
Dunaway is still awaiting trial, but Smathers reached a plea
agreement with prosecutors in February and was expected to receive
a prison sentence of between 18 months and two years. However,
according to reports, US District Court Judge Alvin Hellerstein,
accepted that Smathers was truly sorry for his actions and imposed
a reduced sentence.
"I know I've done something very wrong," Smathers is reported to
have said at the sentencing hearing on Wednesday.
A fine will also be imposed, but the figure depends on the
financial loss that AOL is able to show it incurred as a result of
the theft and subsequent sale. Reports suggest that the fine will
be in the region of $83,000.
