I remember there was a thread about this guy's case a while ago. For those who are interested, the case has been settled.

Here are some snipets for you. You can read the full EFF Media release on McOwen's site located: http://www.mcowen.com/

"Since February 2000, McOwen has been the target of a "computer trespass" investigation and then prosecution. His crime? In 1998, he installed a distributed-computing client (like the SETI@home screensaver) on the college's PCs in order to participate in a distributed decryption contest. In early 2000, the school administrators threatened McOwen with criminal charges and called in the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The threat of more than $400,000 in liability was based solely on the use of the school computers, valued at 59 cents per second."

"Under the terms of the deal, announced today, McOwen will receive one year of probation for each criminal count, to run concurrently, make restitution of $2100, and perform 80 hours of community service unrelated to computers or technology. McOwen will have no felony or misdemeanor record under Georgia's First Offender Act."