College Student Pleads Guilty To Developing Malicious Software

Zachary Shames, 21, of Great Falls, pleaded guilty to charges of aiding and abetting computer intrusions.

According to the statement of facts filed with the plea agreement, Shames developed malicious software, known as a keylogger, that allowed users to steal sensitive information, such a passwords and banking credentials, from a victim’s computer. Shames sold his keylogger to over 3,000 users who, in turn, used it to infect over 16,000 victim computers. Shames developed the initial versions of his keylogger while attending high school in Northern Virginia, and continued to modify and market the illegal product from his college dorm room.

Shames faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and will be sentenced on June 16. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the Court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Author Mike High to Speak at the Great Falls Senior Center Event

The Great Falls Senior Center (GFSC) has announced author Mike High as guest speaker for the Feb. 21 event. High holds degrees in English and creative writing from the University of Virginia and his work has appeared in many publications. He has cycled in many places around the world but the trail along the C&O Canal is his favorite. His C&O Canal Companion takes readers on a mile-by-mile tour of the 184-mile Potomac River and towpath that stretches from Washington, DC, to Cumberland, Maryland, and the Alleghany Mountains.

The Feb. 21 event will be held at the Dranesville Church of the Brethren 11500 Leesburg Pike from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and includes lunch. The Event Sponsor is Celebrate Great Falls Foundation. Reservations are a must so contact Polly Fitzgerald at pollyfitz1@verizon.net or call 703-759-4345. Visit gfseniors.org.

Nominations Sought for Scholar-Athlete Honors

The National Capital Region Chapter of the National Football Foundation is accepting nominations for their 2017 Scholar-Athlete banquet. The Chapter awards five $1000 scholarships annually to deserving high school senior scholar athletes who played high school football. Nominees are evaluated on academic and athletic excellence, as well as contributions to their school and community. Nomination packets have been mailed to each high school head coach in the National Capital Region. Deadline for submission of nomination packets is April 7, 2017. The 11th Annual Awards Banquet will be held on April 23, 2017 at the Army-Navy Club in Arlington.

The National Football Foundation was founded in 1947 to promote and develop amateur American football on all levels. The National Football Foundation has more than 115 chapters nationwide. The National Capital Region Chapter has awarded more than 65 scholarships and honored more than 230 deserving student-athletes in the past ten years.

The National Capital Region Chapter requests and urges participation from all high schools in the National Capital Region.

For additional information, contact your Head Football Coach.