Raid casualty comes forward to tell his story Posted by HSDEMONZ | August 2 23:49 EST | News Category: OffTopic

HSD - Hours before the raids were news and broadcast across the net and the mass media, an XS member (FallsInc) tried to warn those of us in the inner circle that the noose was about to tighten around US Modchip shops. In all honesty many amongst us didn't give too much credence to the tip. Those of us running this site aren't running Modchip shops. To our Utter shock and dismay, hours later we watched as one shop after another in the US market either went down, stopped answering the phones and stopped taking orders. Shops, big and small across 16 states were raided, and had modding, piracy, and alot of unrelated goods and materials confiscated under the wide brush strokes of the DCMA. The following is a firsthand account, written in his own words of the last 24 or so hours in the life of FallInc. FallsInc - When ICE hit me, they had a warrant for my grandma's house where I had all my packages sent. They had a picture of the house, and a description of it, meaning they were ready to come find me. When they were there, they didn't find much, since I hadn't had my computer and most modding stuff there for a while, but I continued to have the orders sent there for security of the packages. They went in the house and woke everyone up and watched them get dressed and started going though everything that was in my old room, and the stuff I had in the garage. They took anything that was related to gaming. They opened all the mail I had waiting for me there (which included someone's Xbox and $150 for a mod and 400gb), and took all the consoles and all console parts that I had stored there they even took my original xbox1 games, that were in retail cases. They took my 360, power brick and video cable, while its modded with xtreme 5.1b, it has never had 1 single burned game booted on it. They also felt it necessary to take all my old Xbox parts, mostly dead, my controllers for the 360 and Wii (?) and packed it in a box, and left. They got my phone number from my grandma and they called me, but I was sleeping, just like everyone else in Ohio. They eventually figured out where I was, and came to find me at my girlfriends' house. They asked me about modding and what I did, and how I did it. They showed me the list of modchips that they collected, and asked me if I ever imported modchips from Canada. I told them I did, but I didn't know it was a Canadian site until after I made the order. They asked me how much money I made, and how many mods I've done, and how many chips I still had, and where they were and where my computers were. I wasn't forced to turn over my stuff since they didn't have a warrant for where it all was, but they told me that if I volunteered it, it would look better when the case is reviewed. They also said that I would have a better chance of getting it back (at first, they promised that I would get it back in 10 days, but once we got to the location, that was changed to "better chance" and "looks better in the eyes of XX". I did the only thing I felt I could do, I let them take what they wanted. We went to where I had my workshop area. They took my laptop, and desktop, and the soldering iron (which was one of their main things to find for some reason). All the chips and relative parts were taken on the recommendation of the computer forensics guy who was to be doing the analysis on my things. In their defense, the ICE people who came to my girlfriends house were nice people, and they tried to help me make the right decision. I knew they were just doing their job, but I have been out of work since early may, and modding is the only thing that was keeping me above water with the bills. Now I can't mod, and I can't even sell anything off to pay for bills either since it has all been confiscated due to a ludicrous interpretation of the DCMA. Now it's all said and done, and I just have to wait for them to decide what I did wrong, but while I'm waiting, I have NOTHING of any worth anymore, other than a computer monitor, and my car. Because of what happened I'm not allowed to see my girlfriend and our 4 month old daughter, and last night, I slept in my car and my girlfriend sent me a text message telling me it felt like someone was taking me away from her. They took my life away. I would like to formally thank Microsoft and Nintendo for cracking down on the little guy with a soldering iron in his garage, rather than going after the people that are responsible for the bootlegs being available. HSD - Xbox-Scene and it's affiliate sites do not condone or endorse piracy, however we do strive to discuss, educate, and explore methods of modifying and operating game consoles in ways not originally intended or envisioned by the manufacturers. We whole heartedly believe in the right to backup your investment. This act in and of itself isn't legal in many jurisdictions. Running a "modchip" store, site or service in many jurisdictions isn't legal. XS advises that anyone, regardless of country you are in take the time to educate yourselves on what is legal, and not legal in your jurisdiction. FallsInc wasn't some large modchip site or service. He was an individual making a few coins on the side. While his story won't be the last we'll hear about the raids, we do encourage everyone reading, especially those in the US to take the time and the measures necessary to ensure that you won't be in the next batch of raids. This isn't JUST a problem for the United States. Europe isn't exempt from the broad strokes of the bloated DCMA legislation. Europe in 2001 passed the EU copyright Directive which has many similarities to the DCMA. There are many good resources on the net about the DCMA and the EUCD. Wikipedia is a good start Digital Millennium Copyright Act. I'd like to thank FallsInc for coming forward and sharing his story with us.

Thanks again to FallsInc for coming forward. Many times.. a story or event just doesn't come across as real until you can put a human angle on it.

Shit man, that sucks... I wish i could do something to help you out, i didn't realize they were going after the little guys. Thats really crappy, i hope you can come out of this without too much damage done t your life.

Sorry man...

i hope that when he stands in front of a judge the judge looks at the issue with the moral ramifications of what the guy was doing and not what is said according to the law

i do not condone piracy... the people out there selling pirated games are the real criminals and should be stopped... those of us who look at modding as a hobby or a way of expanding our console system, to put XBMC on or play some drunken super mario war are not a threat to the industry... there are many that would want that but aren't technologically savy to do it themselves need like FallsInc to help

special interest lobby groups are ruining the governing system and protecting the interests of those with money enough to bribe those in power... this whole thing is FUBAR and the money and resources would have been better spent to fight real pirates, pedophiles, murders, rapists or sending aid to africa... but that is not a priority to the corporate bottom line

this whole thing is FUBAR

It sucks that the second those assholes see a soldering iron hit pcb, they automatically think piracy and fuck up someones life like that...

Fucking government, they could not give a shit about us little people (not physically) here while they go sip fucking whatever they drink, sitting back watching oil hit records laughing as they make billion $ profits, dropping trillions on wars that don't accomplish shit (also while attempting to cover up a good althete and soldiers death), turning a blind eye to millions of illegals getting jobs us hard working citizens strive for, and at the end of the day, they can sleep easy over it.... It just doesn't make sense B

I feel for ya Inc and I hope everything works out

Thats intense man. I hope your girl and your baby are doing alright.

Fuck modders are not criminals!
they do not sell drugs, they do not kill people, commit fraud, this is such bullshit
i hope they take this to court and change shit around its time for these guys to rattle these guys asses

i would just like to say that i have never sold a backup/downloaded game, despite being asked all the time about games. it's easy to pick up that ICE wanted backups, and people using them, but having an undercover agent buy a chipped wii from me, and then raid my house cause i got 12 modchips from Canada is just ridiculous.

i only provided a soldering service, a service for people who didn't have the skill to do it themselves. i just don't understand why they think that bringing me to my knees in public is going to stop piracy.

Focusing this much time, effort, and taxpayer money on something like this, will result in no change in the amount of people downloading games, and the "estimated losses" of the gaming/movie/music industry will continue to rise.

EDIT: lots of people are asking about giving donations. while i don't really feel like i am worthy of such a thing, i am in no position to turn them down, so i added 2 paypal links to my website. feel free to use them if you deem nessecary.

http://www.fallsinc.com

FallsInc I am sorry about your situation.. I have a couple of questions and I do not mean to pry or accuse of ANY sort just wondering..

1. Why can you not see your girlfriend or baby? You are not being held are you? What right do they have to stop you from your girlfriend and baby?? (bastards)

2. please I hope this question does not offend you but.. since you are a SMALL just some joe blow installing chips.. how do you think they "found" you? meaning there are I would say HUNDREDS of "small" time installers and why do you think they picked you?? I mean look at craigslist.. that alone should keep the ICE happy then.

::EDIT:: never mind I guess on question 2 (sorry) I see it was a sting.. I am assuming this same "sting" of modding a wii for under cover agent was everyones downfall?? (bastards)



AGAIN I am very sorry for you and your family.. it is just rediculous what they have done. ESPECIALLY if they do not allow you to see your family.

If there are places for donations to be sent.. put up the info maybe some help will come your way.

if i were you i would get a good lawyer, if you feel that what you have done is not wrong then you must fight back in court

This is indeed the most ridiculous thing I have ever seen. I, like you falls, have done solder work for people in the past. I live in Canada of course so i'm safe, but the fact of the matter is that a simple law changes and this could have been any one of us here.

We feel your pain. If there is ANYTHING the community can do to help out your situation i am sure that i do not stand alone in telling you that we'd do our best to help.

Man, that's rough. Sorry to hear this has happened. The legit chippers who don't sell games shouldn't be the ones getting the axe. Just look at craigslist and see how many people sell their "chipping" services along with any games you want. They're the ones giving the hobby a bad name.

My condolences all around, to every innocent chipper who got caught up in this.

-Duck!

FallsInc, you might already been told or know this.. but be careful what you say online right now.

Wow, FallsInc, that's some serious bullshit...

I feel for you man, but don't let that shit get you down, keep your head up.

P.S. I also hope that your lady and your baby are doing well.

Fallsinc, sorry to hear about your problems and I hope you get an understanding judge.

How can one abide by the laws if they are always changing and interpreted in just about any way to fit ones agenda?! I realize not understanding a law isn't a defense but things are starting to end up where if the government wants us locked up, or made an example of, they can easily interpret a law so that it makes us a criminal. The government isn't run by the people anymore, it's run by the corporations.

If the government wanted to stop modding from happening, they would go after the manufacturers instead of guys like Fallsinc. I dont know why they aren't and its wrong to do so. Almost like killing the messenger.

Ugh, this is so frustrating. The big man picking on the little guy. You gotta get a hold of the ACLU and let them know whats going on. This is totally and 100% messed up. No way around it. I hope you can make it through this man. You probably wont get your stuff back. Thats just my general opinion, i'm not a lawyer though. Good luck man.

EDIT: Am I the only one who is reminded of those few people who got raided for downloading pirated music a few years back?

I did some more research on this law. Here is the link to the contents of the DCMA. If you look under Chapter 12 Sec 1201 in 2 B. It states:

No person shall manufacture, import, offer to the public, provide, or otherwise traffic in any technology, product, service, device, component, or part thereof, that--

has only limited commercially significant purpose or use other than to circumvent a technological measure that effectively controls access to a work protected under this title.

Sadly that is what most mod chips are used for

if they dont have a warrant for the premises you are in never ever ever ever let them into your home, dont talk to them without a lawyer. the second you speak to them you basically gave up your rights. When you said ok they can have your laptop you gave in. Up until that point they had no right to take it AND they cant bring that up in court since the laptop WAS NOT on the premises that the warrant was executed on. Theyre not your friends they'll tell you it will look good in court they say that so you hnd it over. And as for the getting your equipment back faster...if theyre prosecuting you, you wont get it back at all. Remember you dont mod consoles..you fix them. And i repeat NEVER EVER EVER say a word to law wnforcement in such a predicament without a lawyer even the shittiest cheapest ambulance chaser is better than your own judgement.

"asked me if I ever imported modchips from Canada. I told them I did" plead guilty ur done, dont let them in ur home again unless they have a warrant for that premises, dont say anything ever, you're not a lawyer. If the equipment they seized is deemed part of a crime you'll never see it again, its evidence, you admitted to a crime pretty much. This is why more people need to know their basic rights.

putting that mod chip in a console defeats the security in place... it is illegal.

That is fucking bullshit FallsInc. The reality of the whole thing is, no matter what any of us try to do, the way the DCMA's rules are written allows the Feds to basically do what they want to do. I'm sure there are a few avenue's for you to try, but I'm sure they are expensive. Unless you happen to get a lawyer that would work for nothing. Either way man, You have my support, and likely the support of all 350,000 or some odd members here, and everywhere else. Keep your head up, and don't let the man get you down for too long.

The damage has already been done but you're right. Law enforcement actually uses a lot of psychological games to obtain information and/or items they aren't legally allowed to obtain. They first act very nice and tell you it'll be in your best interest to help, they will say kind words to the judge, etc. If that doesn't work they will try scare tactics and make it seem like you're looking at a long prison sentence. The damage has already been done here but if anyone else gets hit get a lawyer ASAP and say nothing. They aren't your friends and the prosecutor won't help you. They are working for one reason, to get a prosecution! The only one who'll help is your lawyer!

Wow this guy is really dumb. He's acting like he's the victim (his gf said their taking you away from me) just shows he needs to be put in jail. "They" are not doing this too you..you did this too yourself.. installing mod chips and selling is clearly illegal. Like he said he didn't do this on the side for a lil money.. he lived off it. This was his only job making profit the illegal way.

I could be wrong but I don't think he's actually being legally forbidden to see her.

I think he probably means the girl's folks (or maybe his) went postal over the "shock" of "law enforcers" arriving in his name, and are reacting like nazis. The "because of what happened" seems to also hint such.

whenever they just GIVE U A FREE CONSOLE its illegal, thats like putting a new engine in ur own car that u paid for being illegal, i paid 400 dollars, fuck m$ or anyone telling me i cant put what i want in it, im not supporting piracy, i think that you should pay for your games because THAT is STEALING, and good luck to u man, i hope everything turns out ok in the end.

Most likely just trying to set an example.

If you think someone who installs modchips for a living is a criminal, then you are on the wrong site.

That's what Mad Money host Jim Cramer always says. And it is the truth.

If the people could decide what there taxpaying dollars went to, I sure it wouldn't be to stop moding. I know many people die from those dang modders, and wicked soldering skills, but I still think they would want other things investigated first.

FallsInc 2 things. First i think you screwed up talking to the cops UNLESS they offered you a deal. Anthing you say can be used incriminate yourself and they can lie to get that info out of you.



Second while i feel bad that modding was the only way for you to make money. Just like selling crack this is illigeal. While modding might not harm people like crack its still illegal. What you are doing I respect but it is still in the gray zone of the law.



I hope they dont make an example out of you and everything works out okay.

The issue is that the law has no right to label things like this illegal. Hence people shouldn't be treated this way for this. There's no reason or right at all to justify this being "illegal".

Intellectual "property" is bullshit. You can't own an idea and what people do with it just because you realized it first. If you sell someone hardware, they have the right to modify its parts however they want to.

If your physical item is sold in stores across the country, you can't claim in/on the package that you're only selling a license to use it. That's bullshit and no one has the right to treat hardware sales or people that way.

the sad part is the damage would have been minimal if this guy hadnt shit his pants and run his mouth handing them everything over in a premises they had no right to enter. The xbox at his grandmas was easy enough...i was fixing it for the guy the hard drive was part of the payment etc etc. But its easy in retrospect to say this. And its tough when you're in the situation with a bunch of FEDS putting on the heat. I feel sorry for the guy i really do i dont see modchips as anything criminal, its the end user who ultimatly can commit the crime of copying games, which i abhor. My machine my right to do with it what i want. I break the liscence i'm no longer entitled to support its the risk we all take.

Maybe soemone will grow some balls and raid microsoft for evidence that they knew the 360 was flawed by design and we all get an updated 360 with a adequate cooling solution. FAT CHANCE!! tho, right?

its not illegal if i put a new processor or install and new program in my computer. Why should it be for consoles.



I figured that too. Hopefully alot of people will hear Fallsinc's story and do something about it, whether they form petitions or be more careful when modifying consoles.

Do you fail to see how your government has found ways to attack their citizens? Yes it is illegal however keep in mind that MP3 player (because it allows you to play copyrighted materials. Your computer because it can rip mp3's. Your dvd/cd burner even. This law is fucked. As it turns out this law almost makes it illegal to live nowadays. Just depends how far they want to take it. Its designed to be very vague so they can do what they want with it. Get the facts before you make a stupid comment like that.

FallsInc, and everyone else that was hit by the raids, I wish you all the best of luck in the future... We're all going to need it.

Here's to hoping we can get people to stand up for what they believe in. I know I certainly don't have the courage to do it myself, but the DMCA, as it stands, is a terrible, terrible law. It stifles creativity, prevent real competition, and makes things that have no right being illegal a federal offense. I never thought I'd see the day where the law was (ab)used against installers and chip sellers that had no hand in piracy. Clearly I was wrong.

The fact that we're wasting taxpayer's money and that we diverted hundreds of personnel whose job it is to protect our borders away from their jobs to go after people like us is sickening.

The money is meaningless to me; as a college student what the ICE seized from my house was well over half of everything to my name... But in the end it's just money. I did what I did as a hobby; I modded consoles because I enjoyed it; I've always been addicted to taking things apart and putting them back together and modding was my 'fix'. Alas, no more. Nintendo, the ESA, and anyone else that had a hand in this... Thanks for ruining one of the true pleasures I had in life.

Regarding the absolutely insane "estimated losses" and other FUD being spread around the media, all i can say is that anyone that actually believes those figures to be more than 5% accurate is an idiot.

Using myself as an example, I'll try and illustrate my point:


When I was younger (and at 19, that really wasn't that long ago) the first gaming system I ever owned was a gameboy. My mom bought it for me as a birthday gift, much to the dismay of my dad, and after a big fight and returning one, I was finally allowed to keep it. I played Super Mario, Zelda, and Pokemon.. and that was about it. A few years later, my mom bought my brother and me an N64 for Christmas. My dad wouldn't let us keep it, so it ended up going to my cousins... My aunt, who felt bad, ended up buying us a Playstation (1). My favorites for those two systems were Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, 007 Goldeneye, Wave Race 64, Twisted Metal, and a few others. But after a while, the systems' appeal wore off and I stopped playing them.

My cousins had both a Dreamcast, and a Playstation 2, neither of which were too appealing to me... and as such I never had much desire to buy a next generation system.

A few years later, we decided to setup a home theater in my basement. I was looking for a way that I could stream my music, movies, and photos from my desktop PC to my TV screen in the basement. After looking at all sorts of things ranging from an HTPC to just hooking my laptop up to the screen, I found out about Xbox Media Center from a friend that lives in Australia.

After doing some research, I decided that buying and modding my xbox to run linux and xbox media center was the perfect solution; at less than $300 it was the cheapest of everything I had looked at, and its featureset was impressive. So I bit the bullet, bought an xbox, and modded it. Microsoft literally got a new customer because of the modding potential of the system they sold.

XBMC was a dream to use; easily one of the best pieces of software I've seen on any system, let alone a game console. And I loved the fact that it had active community support and that updates were released all the time. Then one day at school, I overheard a few friends talking about halo. At the time, I had no idea what halo was; I figured it was some geek game that nerds played 24 hours a day eliminating any social life they might have otherwise had. And I was right about one thing... The next day, I went out an bought a copy and started to play single player. I was hooked from the start, and for a few weeks I spent the majority of my days neglecting homework, friends and family to play halo. I started playing it over XBConnect to friends across the country, and became even more hooked.

I bought a few more games, including Amped 2, Need For Speed Underground, and a couple of others... And then Halo 2 came out. With advent of Halo 2, I decided to try out Xbox Live. Needless to say, the Halo 2 online experience blew me away and I bought a subscription. Actually, I bought two (one for me, one for my brother), along with 4 copies of Halo 2. My brother and I played on live together, we had LAN parties, we did it all.. and it was a blast.

And then the 360 came along. Naturally, I had to buy one, if only to say I had the latest and greatest. Microsoft had me hooked on their franchise. The launch titles were a bit disappointing; COD2, PD0, PGR3.. all fun, but nothing too spectacular.

I bought a few more games for the 360, hoping to find something I enjoyed... Including, but not limited to: Oblivion, Need For Speed Carbon, GOW, COD3, Amped 3, Crackdown (Mainly for the halo 3 online beta), GRAW, and a couple of others. I bought multiple wireless controllers, a wireless mic, a camera, and a couple of faceplates too.... Microsoft has literally made thousands and thousands of dollars off of me... someone who, had it not been for the modding potential of the xbox, they would never have seen a penny from.

And now of course, they'll never make another cent off me again. With all of my consoles and original games being confiscated I'm in no position to be buying any more games or playing video games at all...

While my situation is likely not the norm, the fact that they go around touting these made up numbers off "losses" from potential game sales is ridiculous. I'd put money on it that in almost 95% of the cases of piracy the pirate would never have been a paying consumer anyways (at least not at the prices being charged). And don't get me wrong; I'm strongly against piracy... but going after individuals that sell modchips that have many MANY legitimate uses is NOT the solution.

Damn... I'm real sorry that happened to you man.. I don't care how illegal it was, it's screwed up that they targeted you instead of the big companies or major sellers.. My deepest regards to you and your wife.. For all the ppl who are talking shit about FallsInc, and don't know him at all, you can go f*ck off. If you ever talked with him, you will know that he's one of the nicest guys around, regardless of what he did. Once again, I'm really sorry man.

He IS a victim. "THEY" ARE the ones responsible for doing this to him. And first and foremost, you're incredibly narrow-minded if you truly believe that all laws are 'right'. Sometimes laws are just plain wrong, and I couldn't think of a more perfect example than the DMCA. When a law is wrong, it is up to the people to change it. Under our current administration, who are strong supporters of big business, it's never going to happen. Hopefully our future will be a bit brighter. While I love this country and the values for which it was founded, I can't help but think that every day we stray further and further away from them.

The DMCA is a law which should not exist. It should NOT be illegal to make, sell, install, or buy modchips. We need to adopt laws like Australia's on this matter, which actually MAKE SENSE! They make modchips legal, but piracy illegal, which is the way it should be! The fact that it is not is only a further testament to the idiocy of the law. And honestly, when the author of the law himself, Bruce Lehman, admits that it was a miserable failure and is not being used as it was intended, it's time to repeal it: http://www.michaelgeist.ca/content/view/1826/125/

Fallsinc and the rest of you... put up a simple donation link...

Microsoft Beats $51 Billion Annual Revenue, Setting Record

http://www.informationweek.com/windows/sho...cleID=201200065

maybe Micrsoft wont have to lay off any american workers, now that we got those crooked ol mod chip installers. ............. O yea, most their employees are outsourced anyway.

Its ok for us to pay 100.00$ for a tank of gasoline though, while oil companies year after year break record profits.
but no,no,no you cant make a "backup" copy of your game(60$)/movie(30-75$)/music cd(12-30),or we are confiscating EVERYTHING!

Its unbelievable where this country is headed.

this just all seems a little rediculous. the u.s government is rediculous. someone go ask president bush what modding is and I'm sure all he'll be able to say is "HUH?" bring me another taco.

FallsInc i use to run a website that i stared with my bestfriend GotMod.com i don't know if you remmber any way if you need any help with bills .. contact me email and i do the best in my power to help you
sorry for what happen to you ..


KingMike_os@hotmail.com

Hey bro and anyone that got raid. Maybe by contacting the EFF and get educated on what to say on your way to court. Hey who knows maybe they can represent you in court.

Hang though there bro specially for you family, Can a Paypal account be open to help some what.

Lets call for a Boycott on the big N, S and on M$ lets all clog theirs Mbox and also write to your local congress person.

And of course this was done to cover up all the bad publicity they're getting.

peace.

I just want you to know to further not post any information online about anything, and when you talked to the cops. Tell your attorney you felt threatned by teh way they just came in your aprents house and not nocked first. That you thoght their life, and yourse was in danger. That could get everything you released and said to the police dismissed from court. As long as it was a life threaning act to you. Which to me it would of been. I mean, so many people fake who they are now a days and I wouldn't imagine the police to just come in and raid without nocking first over modding.

Second of all, make sure to bring up to the judge that in the E3 confrence, microsoft was using Xbox Media Center as well. As you could hear some of the stuff from it in the backround before they forgot to turn down the volume.

So Microsoft is even using Pirated Consoles.

Just an idea. And their is proof of that So Stick it to Microsoft while your at it.

Also, get a donation link up.

I'm not an attorney, but I know how to get around situations like this


But since you did coperate, They will probably give you a deffered sentence. You can whith no harm post up your charges and plea bargin. but let your attorney justify this sitaiton for you.

PS : I have kid on the way my self and getting marry this Sat I know how hard it is to be away from your Family .

Picking vegetables and washing dishes is something you strive for?? man you serious need to raise your standards buddy
Thanks for sharing FallsInc is amazing how far the government will go to screw the little guy.

I have to ask, where the people raiding your house full geared SWAT members, or just your everyday police. I always imagined it would be full SWAT. As for them not allowing you to see your girlfriend?..that doesn't sound constitutional

Good luck mate! Hope everything works out for you, shit happens man, call some law firms and ask advice, its free, make a stand, or give in, either way, X-S is proud of ya for keeping your head up in a really bad situation, amazing how the US government reacts to little things like that, but we'll let soldiers die for a dumb country that we should just let kill itself off.

As i said, good luck mate!

All the best from AussieLand!

XeKToReX

You gave them your stuff without a warrant, how dumb can one be

They will not go easy on you because of that fact and now they have more proof


I've been down that road before and let me tell you, you're screwed


They might have had problems ever getting a warrant for a not family member, you should have never let them in and then destroyed the evidence

thanks for the support guys. if anyone feels the need to send donations, i guess hit up paypal@fallsinc.com with some non-cc goodness. fallsinc@fallsinc.com for cc based.



her mom, lol

I guess just pm me if you wanna donate. i don't wanna have this turn into a huge donations thread.



i know. i already took care of the undercover that got me, and i know that others are watching.



just guys in vests was all. and local PD for backup.




they have little if any sort of proof against me. it will be a long time before soldering becomes illegal

i could have not co-operated, but they already were at my house and picked through everything i had, so i figured i'd do myself a favor, and comply

When I read the part about having the whole stuff off-site I thought "wow, what a clever dude, he'll get away with it easily". Then he showed them to the real deal, told them they could take everything they wanted and basically admitted to the charges right there.
That was a really non-smart thing to do. As pointed out before, they are not your friends. They can not offer you deals, they won't "put in a good word". Without the evidence they would have nothing but he handed himself over on a silver plate.
Sad really but everyone should take this opportunity and read up on how to behave when in contact with the police (under charges).

@FallsInc, I feel for you man. Helping people out by installing a chip is not illegal! But, because of the nature of this, I'm sure they'll be able to prove at least (1) crime was committed (it's not hard to do, just about everything is illegal). I hope you get a lawyer, because if you explain everything to a lawyer they will know the Feds have no case. As long as your aren't a habitual law breaker, I'd say your odds are pretty good at making a deal with the Feds and maybe paying a fine and/or probation as well... It isn't illegal to order a wii modchip, nor is it illegal to install it in a wii. The DMCA is b.s., and just about every Judge knows it. It's so broad, you could prosecute grandma for recording commercials of the radio for the love of God.

@appleguru, your story reads just like mine bro. I barely even play games. The enjoyment I have got out of modding FAR exceeds any enjoyment I have got out of any of these lame games... The only reason I even bought an Xbox was to try and mod it. I actually bought a 360 and some games, when no mod was available, because I supported MS$ product so f'ing blindly. Now, after this, I must admit, I look at my 360 and feel a little like puking... Ugh. And buying a Wii? I was thinking about it for the kids, but that'll never happen now, screw Nintendo, these press releases make me sick to my stomach.

I actually have made friends modding, people I would have never met before too. Modding isn't some haneous act. There are a lot of us out here who like the tinkering with hardware, the emulators, etc and that is why we are into this scene.

What makes me even sicker, everyone that has CLOSETS full of pirated DVD movies and no one does anything about that. But the Feds are worried about some guy installing chips? Give me a break! Why don't they start F'ing raiding everyone on the doom9 forums! Jackasses...

i wasn't under charges. there is no court date or anything. i am just in limbo waiting.

2 donate links on my site now. one for credit card paypal, and 1 for non credit card paypal

http://www.fallsinc.com

jwhazel if thats your opinion your in the wrong forum buddy