BREAKING NEWS!: Cumberlands student arrested for computer hacking

A University of the Cumberlands student has been ordered to surrender his passport if he makes bond on charges of illegally accessing computer information from a computer at the school.

Judge Fred White entered a not guilty plea for Kim Sungkook, 23, of Williamsburg, to charges of first and second-degree unlawful access to a computer and theft of identity of another without consent during his arraignment Monday morning in Whitley District Court.

White agreed to lower Sungkook’s bond from $100,000 cash to $50,000 cash, but ordered him to surrender his passport to local authorities if he makes bond.

Sungkook told the judge that local officials already had his passport.

So far Williamsburg officials are saying little about the allegations or what led to Williamsburg Police Chief Wayne Bird obtaining a warrant and arresting Sungkook about 3 p.m. Friday.

“On or about Oct. 1, 2008 the defendant unlawfully accessed computer information from a computer located at the University of the Cumberlands,” Bird stated in the arrest warrant.

“The defendant then illegally gained access to personal information on the computer and disseminated this personal information via the web some information portraying sexually explicit acts.

“The defendant also gained access to numerous individuals e-mail accounts illegally using their user ID and passwords without their consent.”

Williamsburg Police Public Affairs Officer Shawn Jackson said more charges could be filed against Sungkook in the near future as the investigation continues, but that it is uncertain whether more people will be charged.

“Right now, we don’t know if he is the only one involved or if there are more people involved. Chief Bird is leading the investigation. The investigation is continuing and he is being assisted by the Attorney General’s Office,” Jackson said. “There are more details to come and probably more charges to come also.”

Jackson said that Sungkook apparently has a great deal of computer knowledge.

“He knew a lot of ways to get information from inside the computer that is normally confidential information,” Jackson said.

“Through the computer, he gained access to personal information and started sending some of the personal information out via the Internet and the web. Some of it was explicit based on the warrant.”
At this point, Jackson said authorities couldn’t say how many people’s personal information that Sungkook may have accessed.

Jackson noted that part of the ongoing investigation involving notifying potential victims.

“Hopefully, by the end of the week there will be more details available for the media along with other charges. Right now we can’t release the details because the charges have not been filed.”

Williamsburg Police Detective Bobby Freeman, Sgt. Jason Caddell, Jackson and the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office have assisted in the investigation.

Public defender Jim Wren II has been appointed to represent Sungkook.