Hackers target MSP radios

As published in the Flint Journal, December 18, 2004

The Associated Press

Lansing, MI - An Oceana County fire chief and three other men were
charged Friday (December 18, 2004) with scheming to illegally tap into the
state police radio system.

The radio system is supposed to be used by law enforcement or other
public service agencies that have been authorized to access it.

Attorney General Mike Cox said it's crucial that first responders be
able to communicate on the system without others eavesdropping.

Andrew John Felde, 41, of Grand Rapids is accused of obtaining stolen
or illegally manufactured Motorola radios. James Benjamin Brunk, 44, of
Cadillac and James Edward Werner, 38, of Rockford, who were state police
civilian employees, allegedly helped Felde program the radios to access the
800-megahertz system. They gave him computer software and templates for the
radios so they would work on the system, Cox said.

Walkerville Fire Chief Jerry Lee Frick, 63, then bought three of the
radios at half price, Cox said, in part with grant money by submitting a
fraudulent invoice to a local 911 system.

The men face various felony charges. Frick faces up to 14 years in
prison if convicted, and the other men face up to 5 to 10 years.