PRELIMINARY HEARING POSTPONED – The preliminary hearing on the alleged computer hacking charges brought against West New York Mayor Dr. Felix Roque (left) and his son Joseph (right) originally scheduled for Monday has been postponed to Friday, according to a representative from the U.S. Attorney’s office. (Photo taken during pro-Roque vigil held outside of Town Hall June 1.)
On May 27, Roque and his son learned during an arraignment that they could each face up to 11 years in prison and $600,000 in fines if convicted on the charges.
Federal District Judge Mark S. Falk determined that if convicted on the first two counts of alleged unauthorized computer access and conspiracy to gain unauthorized computer access, the Roques face up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
They face an additional year in prison and a $100,000 fine if convicted on the misdemeanor charge of allegedly causing damage to computers that were protected.
The two were released on a $100,000 bail bond, they had to surrender their passports, and their travel has been restricted to New Jersey and New York. Their internet and computer use has also been severely restricted. – Gennarose Pope
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