A record-breaking “Jeopardy” game show champion and former Adrian College history professor has been charged with two cybercrime-related felonies.
The court appearance follows an investigation by the Michigan State Police Cyber Command Center after staff at Adrian College accused Jass of accessing email accounts without proper authorization.
If convicted of the more serious of the two charges—using a computer without authorization for fraudulent purposes—Jass could face a fine of $10,000 and five years in prison.
It is not known when Jass allegedly accessed the emails nor whose accounts may have been affected. Investigators have confirmed that an extensive forensic examination of the digital evidence has been carried out, but have declined to provide further details, reports mlive.com.
The accused is no longer an employee of Adrian College, and mlive.com obtained a statement from its representative highlighting the college’s commitment to privacy rights.
“Adrian College wants to sincerely thank the Michigan State Police and the Lenawee County Prosecutor’s Office for their thorough investigation and for ultimately bringing charges in this crime,” reads the statement. “Privacy rights are a fundamental principle of our American democracy and Adrian College stands with those who protect these rights.”
The college was notified on Tuesday, Dec. 5, of Jass’s arrest. The accused is out on a personal bond of $20,000.
