The kid who got arrested for making school easier

Principal Everette has finally put a name to the student responsible for… making school easier? Vincent Ricci, a very tech-savvy student, came up with some clever ways to push boundaries.

For starters, he created custom scripts to automate boring school tasks, like filling out forms or solving repetitive math problems. One of his favorite creations was bypassing the school’s website restrictions by using proxies, VPNs, and tunneling tools.

He built a private network for himself and his friends on school-issued devices by using unused ports or Wi-Fi frequencies that allowed file-sharing or chat functions without the school’s knowledge.

He modded the school-issued software to create custom mods to games, and a couple of times he even gained admin access by exploiting system vulnerabilities.

The list goes on, from creating bots that automated his parent-teacher online conference to cracking the school’s Wi-Fi passwords for free internet access. But the ones that shined the light on juvenile misconduct was hacking assignments by using code, reverse engineering techniques to find the answers to online tests in the school’s educational apps, and jamming the school’s Wi-Fi network to give Cindy Askew ample time to make it to class.

He was eventually arrested for computer criminal activity and conspiracy to commit computer criminal activity when he jammed the school’s Wi-Fi network to delay an exam.

Docket NY-123456

The prosecution calls Vincent Ricci.

An Italian woman stepped up, and the officers escorted her 16-year-old nephew in. Immediately, this 4-foot-tall woman pulled out a chair, climbed up, and slapped the boy on the back of his head.

“What’s the matter with you?” she yelled.

“I’m sorry, Auntie,” he yelped.

“Look at the predicament you put me in. I had to take two buses and one train just to get here, all for some internet mayhem! Why couldn’t you just ask me for a hotspot thingy or something?” she asked.

“Because I create my own tools out of the school’s negligence,” he said, tearfully, staring his aunt in the face.

She leaned down. “You! Over here,” she pointed her finger at Vincent’s younger brother. She popped him too.

“Ouch, Auntie, what was that for?” he whined.

“Preventative measures,” she said.

“Your Honor,” she commenced speaking, “Give us a break, you hear? I gotta look into extracurricular activities for this knucklehead, you know.”

“Mrs. Ricci,” the judge said firmly. “Is Vincent willing to show Principal Everette how he exploited the school’s vulnerabilities? Specifically, how he’s been going undetected for so long. They can’t get a cell phone signal from him anywhere around the school.”

The aunt looked at Vincent. “Well, are you?” she said.

Vincent, suddenly amused, shrugged and, wiping his tears, asked, “Will I go home?”

His aunt distended her neck, gently maneuvering her head closer to his, and said, “Are you trying to negotiate?” She looked back at the judge and took a deep breath.

The judge pushed her hair behind her ears, pulled up closer to the bench, and rested one hand down while the other crossed her brow.

She looked Vincent square in the eyes and said, “Vincent, we have an IT company called eMazzanti Technologies that has already deciphered how you were able to take your school on this fantastical journey. We just want to hear it from you. The eMazzanti team is saying that you must be pretty smart to stage these kinds of hacks. So, are you willing to show Principal Everette how you did this?”

“Yes, ma’am,” he said.

“Thank you,” she said. Then she asked, “Does a Faraday bag sound familiar to you?”

Vincent looked surprised before answering, “Yes.”

She looked over at the school officials and said, “Well, that’s why you aren’t getting a signal from his phone.”

“Okay, Mrs. Ricci,” the judge said, “I’m going to let Vincent go in your custody.”

Auntie leaned in to be sure she heard every word. The judge finished, “He’s going to have to attend a 90-day program at eMazzanti to learn how to use his powers for good, and not evil.”

“Okay, will do,” Mrs. Ricci said.

She took the arm of the security officer as she swung down from the chair. Then the aunt looked the officer in the face and murmured, “You Fred Astaire, and me, Ginger Rogers.”

“Bailiffs, release the cuffs,” the judge said. The judge stepped down to speak quietly to Vincent.

Whatever she said, it made Mrs. Ricci happy.