Student could face 20 years in jail for hacking grades

A high school student in the US is facing up to 20 years behind bars after allegedly breaking into his school's computer system and changing grades.

Jose Bautista, 18, was arrested in Miami last week after his principal turned him in.

Baustita, who was supposed to graduate at the end of this month, is accused of hacking the school's grading system and changing not only his report card, but also the grades of at least four other students.

Students at the school claim that Baustita tried to solicit his services to them earlier this year.

"That was taking it to an extreme," fellow student Alberto Bendjouia told CBS Miami.

"I was surprised, it' the end of the year and grades are going in, for a kid to do something like that I guess he felt he had to."

The school has since issued a statement saying they take incidents like Baustita's alleged crime "very seriously".

"In addition to the arrest and ongoing criminal investigation, the Code of Student Conduct provides for corrective strategies up to and including recommendation for expulsion," the statement read.

It is unclear if Bautista will be allowed to graduate.

Source: CBS Miami

Author: Natasha Lee, Approving editor: Matthew Henry