From Azeroth to Canada: Tracking down a fugitive in World of Warcraft
Filed under: World of Warcraft, Fantasy, Events, real-world, MMO industry, News items, Legal
If you thought you could hide online, think again. Alfred "Rastlynn" Hightower just found out that when you're playing World of Warcraft, you can't hide from the law.
Hightower was wanted in Howard County, Indiana for two charges of dealing a controlled substance and for dealing marijuana, but had fled the country to Canada. Howard County sheriffs had enlisted the help of the U.S. Marshals to track down the suspect, and were working with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to extradite him. However, they had to locate him first.
Hightower was wanted in Howard County, Indiana for two charges of dealing a controlled substance and for dealing marijuana, but had fled the country to Canada. Howard County sheriffs had enlisted the help of the U.S. Marshals to track down the suspect, and were working with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to extradite him. However, they had to locate him first.
Through investigation, Sheriff's Deparment Deputy Matt Robertson and Sheriff's Major Steve Rogers found that Hightower was fond of an online game that sounded very much like World of Warcraft. Robertson prepared and sent a subpoena to Blizzard Entertainment, not expecting a response as Blizzard is in California where Howard County has no jurisdiction -- the subpoena was nothing more than a kindly worded request in the eyes of the law.
Blizzard, three months later, sent over a package of information that included Hightower's IP address, surprising and stunning the Sheriff's Department. This new information allowed Robertson and Rogers to trace and pinpoint Hightower's location in Canada.
Hightower is currently being extradited to the US to face criminal charges. For the full story, check out the Kokomo Perspective.
[Thanks for the tip, Tim!]
Blizzard, three months later, sent over a package of information that included Hightower's IP address, surprising and stunning the Sheriff's Department. This new information allowed Robertson and Rogers to trace and pinpoint Hightower's location in Canada.
Hightower is currently being extradited to the US to face criminal charges. For the full story, check out the Kokomo Perspective.
[Thanks for the tip, Tim!]
















Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Archipelagos said on 12:35PM 12-31-2009
Oh the hilarity.
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Barinthos said on 6:08PM 12-31-2009
So everyone can find it pretty easily. This is part of the ToS YOU ALL agree to when you log into this game every single time.
""We do not, and cannot, pre-screen or monitor all User Content. However, our representatives may monitor and/or record your communications (including without limitation chat text) when you are using the Service or playing a Game, and you hereby provide your irrevocable consent to such monitoring and recording. You acknowledge and agree that you have no expectation of privacy concerning the transmission of any User Content, including without limitation chat text or voice communications. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for User Content that is generated by users. We have the right, but not the obligation, in our sole discretion to edit, refuse to post, or remove any User Content. WE ALSO RESERVE THE RIGHT, AT ALL TIMES AND IN OUR SOLE DISCRETION, TO DISCLOSE ANY USER CONTENT AND OTHER INFORMATION (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION CHAT TEXT, VOICE COMMUNICATIONS, IP ADDRESSES, AND YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION) FOR ANY REASON, including without limitation (a) to satisfy any applicable law, regulation, legal process or governmental request; (b) to enforce the terms of this or any other agreement or Blizzard policy; (c) to protect our legal rights and remedies; (d) where we feel someone’s health or safety may be threatened; or (e) to report a crime or other offensive behavior."
So...what did Blizzard do that was "over the line" or "invading" in any way now? Sounds to me like they didn't do a damn thing wrong at all.
magnumfinger said on 7:57PM 1-03-2010
The thing that interest me the most is how blizzard could become so generous on giving the information of people when the 'right' people asked them to do so. In this case a sheriff. Speaking of privacy being out of hand but hey! This is a fugitive we are talking about so you can stop thinking about BS privacy first and concentrate on finding the crook - And now he is finally aprehended. Good Job!
More of this WOW details: http://bit.ly/wow-catches-a-fugitve
Lateris said on 12:48PM 12-31-2009
One world. One government. One law. The Lawmans law!!!! Busted!!!
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durham1000 said on 12:51PM 12-31-2009
I knew it! all crazy people play shamans!
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Cinnamoon said on 1:06PM 12-31-2009
I had no idea Blizzard was so hip to the mindless drug war -- I guess a dude who deals pot to what passes for the local grunge kids in Nowheresville, Indiana, is pretty srs bidness and MUST BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE!!!!! I guess none of Blizzard's employees ever tokes up or passes anything around at company parties, either. We wouldn't want to be hypocritical now would we.
Isn't anyone a tad miffed that they are giving out your private information without flinching? Google fights harder for crying out loud.
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Wulf said on 1:39PM 12-31-2009
Glad to hear from the pothead peanut gallery. Whether or not it's right, whether or not you agree with it, he broke the law. He knew the law, and openly defied it.
You can't just ignore a law because you don't like it. One of these days, you ignorant children will realize this... You're not rebelling, you're not 'raging against the machine', you're simply throwing yourselves under the tires of an oncoming truck, and you will lose.
You want it changed? Do something about it. Contact your local government, hold rallies, get off your ass and fight for it. Until you do, sit down and STFU.
snowleopard233 said on 2:00PM 12-31-2009
From what I can tell, this guy wasn’t smoking any homegrown grass or whatever it is people think is acceptable these days. The classification of drug he was dealing (not simply using) could be anything from PCP to anabolic steroids. Overall, you’re assuming a lot; that this guy is some mild-mannered innocent who harmlessly smoked some dope, that the Blizzard developers like to toke up too, and that Blizzard does not have to consent to a police investigation when you do something illegal. This is a video game company we’re talking about, not some swiss bank.
And finally, I’m not someone who always agrees with what the united states government does and there are several laws out there I disagree with, but I don’t go around breaking the law and expect to get away with it.
Bezza said on 5:48PM 12-31-2009
Crickey you lot are a self righteous and hypocritical bunch. What a joke, gamers condemning the use of weed. lol@thehypocracy of it all.
DYMongoose said on 1:16PM 12-31-2009
Props to Blizzard for that...
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onetrueping said on 1:40PM 12-31-2009
Agreed. Blizzard has just won more respect in my eyes for their cooperation with law enforcement agencies.
However stupid or wrong the law might be (which is a different argument), the enforcement of that law is necessary. When someone is enforcing a stupid or bad law, it is not those that enforce the law but the law itself that should be blamed.
That said, the drug culture is typically full of idiots who don't recognize that the least harmful substance available, marijuana, is as lethal as tobacco (most cancer statistics are rolled up under tobacco officially, as most people don't want to face drug charges, go figure), and every other substance is significantly more so. And even putting aside the inherent dangers in the drugs themselves, the more addictive drugs have worse societal side-effects when people can no longer afford them and find themselves going through withdrawal.
In my opinion, marijuana would prove less a threat if it were legalized, but controlled under restrictions similar to alcohol, with limitations based on the age of the user, the amount of the material used for operation of equipment, and similar penalties for crimes committed under the influence. It should also undergo the same scrutiny and taxation as tobacco.
And again, kudos to Blizzard for cooperating in the apprehension of a felon, regardless of the crime or location.
Graill said on 5:36PM 12-31-2009
Good call blizzard, now fix your damn game.
Zionite said on 11:16AM 1-01-2010
to #10
I recommend you do some reading on the subject if you're interested. You're surprisingly incorrect on your cancer statistic, as well as it being lethal in any way, which is strange because you seem to have an interest in the whole thing.
onetrueping said on 3:22PM 1-01-2010
Actually, if you read what I said, it was that the presumed LACK of carcinogens is due to the inability to gain appropriate statistical information, due to the fact that marijuana is an illegal drug, and admitting to its use is grounds for investigation and arrest.
Nelson said on 1:30PM 12-31-2009
Wait, Blizzard violated a customer's privacy to an unauthorized law enforcement agency? That's outrageous.
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Wulf said on 1:48PM 12-31-2009
Unauthorized? Where in the hell did you pull unauthorized from?
Privacy laws are made to protect the rights of citizens, not the location of felons.
snowleopard233 said on 2:07PM 12-31-2009
Newsflash! The internet is not the most private place in the world!
Doc said on 1:32PM 12-31-2009
um the Patriot Act passed after 9/11 gives Blizzard no choice but to hand over any information requested in a federal (US Marshal) records subpoena. Dont blame Blizzard blame congress.
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Costen said on 12:58PM 1-02-2010
An IP address isn't exactly private information, the only time you wouldn't want the law to have it is.. well if your on the run from them.
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Wulf said on 3:49PM 12-31-2009
"And if they give out his information when to a law enforcement agency when not legally required to do so, then whats to stop them from giving yours out to anyone else?"
Not breaking the law.