No jail for online dating hacker
By promising to join the military, a former Long Island police officer avoided jail time and probation Monday for hacking into his ex-girlfriend’s online dating account and setting up dates for her with men she didn’t know.
Michael Valentine, 29, was charged in April with 197 counts, including stalking, computer tampering and harassment. He pleaded guilty in June to two misdemeanor charges of unauthorized use of a computer.
Prosecutors said Valentine sought revenge against a former girlfriend by logging into her Match.com account, assuming her identity and contacting 70 men. Some of the men showed up at the woman’s house for dates arranged by Valentine.
Prosecutors agreed to the deal because Valentine said he intended to join the military. If he does not enlist within nine months, he will be sentenced to three years’ probation.
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