Jesse Kipf pleaded guilty to computer fraud and aggravated identity theft and was sentenced to more than six years behind bars.
Grayson County Detention CenterJesse Kipf attempted to fake his own death in order to avoid paying over $116,000 in outstanding child support.
In 2023, a 39-year-old father from Somerset, Kentucky, embarked on a wild scheme to avoid ponying up more than $100,000 in outstanding child support payments.
After stealing a physician’s credentials, Jesse Kipf hacked into the Hawaii Death Registry System to declare himself deceased. But he didn’t stop there.
Kipf admitted to authorities that he hacked several government and private servers, collecting personal data and attempting to sell it on the dark web. Now, the scheming father is facing six years behind bars and hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines.
Jesse Kipf Devises A Plan To Avoid Child Support Payments
In January 2023, Jesse Kipf accessed the Hawaii Death Registry System with the username and password of a physician from another state and created an entry for his death. Using the digital signature of the doctor, Kipf completed a Hawaii death certificate and listed himself as the medical certifier.
Grayson County Detention CenterAfter pleading guilty to computer fraud and aggravated identity theft, Jesse Kipf was sentenced to 81 months in prison.
This paperwork eventually led other federal databases to declare Kipf deceased. At the time, Kipf owed $116,357.77 in child support payments, and he determined that faking his own death would be a good way to get out of them.
According to his plea agreement, Kipf accessed a protected computer to get the necessary information to pull off the stunt. And while this attempt to evade child support was outrageous, it was nothing compared to what he did next.
Kipf Dives Into The World Of The Dark Web
Kipf’s hacking did not stop with the Hawaii Death Registry System. He also accessed government, private business, and corporation networks to illegally extract information to sell on the dark web.
According to his plea deal, Kipf specifically hacked websites from the State of Arizona, State of Vermont, GuestTek Interactive Entertainment, and Milestone, Inc. Then, he attempted to sell access to these networks on the dark web.
Kipf admitted to having databases of personal information, including social security numbers and medical records.
UnsplashKipf also accessed other federal and private databases to sell personal data on the dark web.
“This scheme was a cynical and destructive effort, based in part on the inexcusable goal of avoiding his child support obligations,” Carlton S. Shier IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, stated in a press release. “This case is a stark reminder of how damaging criminals with computers can be, and how critically important computer and online security is to us all. Fortunately, through the excellent work of our law enforcement partners, this case will serve as a warning to other cyber criminals, and he will face the consequences of his disgraceful conduct.”
Kipf was indicted in November 2023 on five counts of computer fraud, three counts of aggravated identity theft, and two counts of making false statements on applications in connection with federally insured financial institutions.
The damage inflicted on the state registry systems exceeds $80,000 and includes “untold consequences in trying to rectify the networks and the harm to the individuals whose personally identifying information was exposed, stolen or misused,” according to Kipf’s sentencing memo.
In total, Kipf will have to pay $116,357.77 in restitution to the State of California Child Support Services, $56,247.50 to Milestone, and $19,653.38 to GuestTek. Even worse, the judge may include a $250,000 fine for each of the counts.
“Working in collaboration with our law enforcement partners, this defendant who hacked a variety of computer systems and maliciously stole the identity of others for his own personal gain, will now pay the price,” Michael E. Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge from the FBI Louisville Field Office, said in the statement. “Victims of identity theft face lifelong impact and for that reason, the FBI will pursue anyone foolish enough to engage in this cowardly behavior.”
After reading about the Kentucky man who faked his own death to avoid paying child support, learn about Essie Dunbar, the woman who shocked her friends and family after sitting up in her coffin at her own funeral. Then, dive into the incredible story of Joan of Leeds, the medieval nun who faked her own death to escape her convent and pursue “carnal lust.”
