Man Charged as ‘Capt. Midnight’
John R. MacDougall of Ocala, Fla., was identified today as “Captain Midnight,” the space-age video pirate who overpowered HBO’s satellite delivery system to send a crude message to viewers in April.
The Federal Communications Commission said MacDougall was arrested and charged with “illegally operating a satellite uplink transmitter” at the Central Florida Teleport, where he was operator on duty the night of April 27. The FCC could fine “Captain Midnight” $10,000 and put the violator in jail for a year, if it can obtain a conviction.
More to Read
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.