WASINGTON – In a shocking case of government corruption, Kevin M. Young, a 42-year-old resident of Temple Hills, Md., pleaded guilty to unauthorized computer access of confidential passport files.
Young, a former contact representative for the Passport Special Issuance Agency, accessed the Passport Information Electronic Records System (PIERS) database from March 11, 2003, to Dec. 21, 2005, for reasons unrelated to official government duties.
According to court documents, Young viewed the passport applications of over 125 celebrities, actors, comedians, professional athletes, musicians, models, a politician, and other individuals. The files contained sensitive personal information, including photographs, addresses, telephone numbers, and emergency contact information.
The Passport Information Electronic Records System (PIERS) contains all imaged passport applications dating back to 1994, and access to it is strictly limited to official government duties under the Privacy Act of 1974.
Young’s guilty plea marks the fifth case of unauthorized access to passport files by a State Department employee. Lawrence C. Yontz, a former Foreign Service Officer, was sentenced to 12 months of probation and 50 hours of community service for accessing nearly 200 confidential passport files. Dwayne F. Cross, a former administrative assistant and contract specialist, was sentenced to 12 months of probation and 100 hours of community service for accessing over 150 confidential passport files.
Kevin M. Young is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 9, 2009, and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Armando O. Bonilla of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section.
The State Department Office of Inspector General is investigating the case, which highlights the need for stricter controls on government databases and the importance of protecting sensitive personal information.
Related Federal Cases
- Mark Carter, Unauthorized Computer Access, District of Columbia 2008 · Virginia
- Matthew Bathula, Unauthorized Access to a Protected Computer, Maryland 2016 · Florida
- Jeng “Jay” Shih, Conspiracy to Export Computer-Related Equipment, District of Columbia 2012 · District of Columbia
- Juan R. McCullum, Cyberstalking with Nude Image Exploitation, District of Columbia 2024 · North Carolina
- Danielle Hillmer, Cybersecurity Fraud, District of Columbia 2023 · Virginia
Key Facts
- State: District of Columbia
- Category: Cybercrime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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