Jesse Kipf, a Kentucky resident, employed an elaborate scheme to fake his own death in order to avoid paying over $100,000 in child support. Authorities discovered his plan after he hacked into the Hawaii Death Registry System using the username and password of an out-of-state physician in January 2023.
By creating and certifying a false death certificate for himself, Kipf managed to have his death registered in multiple government databases, causing significant confusion and disruption.
Kipf’s motivation for this drastic action stemmed from his desire to evade his child support obligations, which had accrued to over $116,000 following his divorce in 2008 in California. He admitted to the scheme, acknowledging his intent to escape financial responsibilities to his daughter and her mother.
Legal Ramifications and Sentencing
In April, Kipf pleaded guilty to charges of computer fraud and aggravated identity theft. As part of a plea deal, other charges against him were dropped. Prosecutors had recommended a sentence of 84 months, whereas his defense lawyer argued for 72 months. Ultimately, Kipf was sentenced to 81 months in federal prison.
Besides his prison sentence, Kipf is required to pay $195,758.65 in unpaid child support and damages to government and corporate computer systems affected by his actions. His fraudulent activities also extended beyond the Hawaii Death Registry System, as he hacked systems in Arizona and Vermont, as well as networks of private companies GuestTek Interactive Entertainment and Milestone Inc. Kipf even sold access to these systems on the dark web.
The Broader Impact and Importance of Cybersecurity
The case of Jesse Kipf underscores the broader issues of cybersecurity and the enforcement of child support laws. U.S. Attorney Carlton S. Shier, IV, emphasized the ramifications of Kipf’s actions, warning about the harm caused by cybercriminals. Kipf’s actions not only disrupted official records but also necessitated a strong response to protect the integrity of public systems.
“Weaknesses in our digital and online security infrastructure must be addressed to safeguard the well-being of families dependent on child support payments,” said U.S. Attorney Carlton S. Shier, IV.
Furthermore, Kipf’s sentence includes serving 85% of his prison time and an additional three years of supervised release upon completion. The FBI’s involvement, through Special Agent Michael E. Stansbury, highlights their ongoing commitment to pursuing identity theft and cybercrime cases. The case serves as a reminder of the lifelong impact of identity theft and the necessity of vigilance in protecting personal and institutional data.
“The long-term impact on identity theft victims is profound,” said FBI Special Agent Michael E. Stansbury.
The Justice Department advises victims of identity theft to place fraud alerts, close compromised accounts, file police reports, and maintain thorough records of the incidents. In addition to Kipf’s actions, a recent data breach has revealed vast amounts of Americans’ personal information for sale on the dark web, further underscoring the importance of robust data security measures.
