Something about teen son bothers me
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| Thu, 01-18-2007 - 5:38pm |
I am new to this board. We have a teen son who is 17 to be turning 18 the end of March. Oh we have had some issues with him over the years. To start he is ADD and currently on the meds for that. Then it would of been a year in late September 2006 when our son got all our computers taken away by the feds. We really never found out exactly what he did. Although he was not prosecuted for anything. They said as long as nothing on his computer showed he done wrong things. He had been online chatting with people. They'd instant message each other. Like many teens do with their buddies. I'd ask who these online buddies were. He'd say oh just a few he met online. Someone was showing him some new programming skills. How to program in some other something language. I let it be. Figuring ok I guess it's ok to be learning some new computer skills. Our son is a genious on the computer. Can repair and build computers. Knows a lot about how they work, programming and all that. Our son had his own computer that was built with parts that my bil either gave us when he upgraded his computer or were left after dh upgraded our computer. I even got our son his own printer. Then he could do his homework in his room uninterupted.
Then that day late September 2005. I had off of work. I went out shopping. Came home in the afternoon. Went in our room to watch tv. Dh was on his computer putzing around. I hear someone knocking loudly on the door. I got up. Go to the living room. Yell across the room I'm coming Whoes there. The feds then barreled in quickly. Held assault riffles on me. I stood there scared unable to move. They yell put your arms out. Then sit down. Ah ah what did we do. Why are you here. I'm crying in fear. They said we can't tell you yet. Get some shoes on and lets go outside. I walk over to my desk in the living room. Was going to bend down for a pair of flip flops that were underneath a bag on the floor. They thought I was reaching for a gun or weapon. I said my sandles are under this bag. They move the bag over and let me slip them on. They find dh in the back room on his computer. He was sitting there in his bathrobe. Dh is disabled with MS. He does not work now due to the MS. They told dh to get up and go outside. Dh had a hard time standing up. So the feds yanked him out of his chair. Rushing him out on to the porch. The made him sit in a chair there. Then had me sit in the back of a squad car. I asked this woman cop. What we did. She says Oh we can't say. But we're here for your son. I said what did he do. They said we can't tell you all of it. But he was online with some people. And a crime was comitted that was world wide. Huh? I see them haul our son out the back door in cuffs. To this day I never found out what our son did online. Oh dh got his computer back and I my palm pilot and other stuff of ours they took. Dh also got back some DVDs of stuff he downloaded. Our son did not get his computer back. They tell us dh and I did not comitt any crime. But have to investigate our son for his involment if any in this crime. To this date we have not heard anything. Just an officer from our city police did say based on what our son told them during the interrogation. He may not of known a crime was being comitted. That the people he was online with used his computer to secretely send stuff back and forth from. This programming stuff our son was supposedly learning from his online buddies.
I asked our son what he did. He wouldn't say much. I think the feds told him if he tells us or anyone he'd be in hot water. But from bits and pieces he did say. Someone or someones was doing identity theft. They must of stole credit cards or something. When they took our computer stuff from the house. I told the feds. I found a 60 gig IPOD with our sons things. It has his first name engraved on it. That when I went to the online IPOD store. It did not list a 40 gig IPOD. It listed a 20 gig for like 200 and something and a 60 gig one for 400 and something. So this one cost somewhere in between. I said I confiscated it from our son. He does not know I have it. They ask where it is. Said I can get it for you. They said no. I said well it's in the right pocket of a cream color winter coat hanging in the front hallway. That's where it's been for a couple months now. They get it. I said I or dh did not buy it for him. We can't afford things like that for him. They take it with the other stuff. Said they'd see where it came from. But when dh and I got our stuff back. They gave back the IPOD. I didn't know they did. It was in one of the boxes of dh's and my stuff. Of course I did not tell our son. I put it back in the same pocket of the same jacket I had it in before.
Our son has had impulsive behavior. That is probably the ADD. He has had issue in 9th and 10th grade. Was suspended a few times. 11th grade he started chaping up behavior wise in class. He is a senior now. To graduate in June. He is very smart. Could be a straight A student if he applied himself. But at least is not failing anything. He has had nothing lower than a C. so far this year.
Today I went up to our sons room. I had gone shopping earlier. I bought him some t shirts. I go up to lay them on the chair in his room. I see his wallet on the floor. I open it. Wondering if it was the same wallet he kept his temps driver lisence in. It was. Then sticking up I see a bus or train card pass for the Chicogo. It said CTA Transit Chicogo on it. Said pass was good till May 15 of 2008. I don't know if that pass still has money value on it for rides. how did he get it. Who paid for it. How much money in rides was on that card. I go to the web site listed on the card. There was no way of finding out what value that card has. I put his wallet back on his desk where he could see it. I took the CTA transit card. I was hoping to find out about it. If there is money on it for rides. I don't know how I can ask our son about it. What was he thinking on doing in Chicogo. Who was he going to see there. Or how did he get that card. There is a 800 number on back. I think I will call it later. See if it is like a gift card to a store. Where you can call the 800 number. Punch in the numbers on back. It tells you how much is on the card. Dh and I do not know anyone who lives in Chicogo or any part of Illinois for that fact. I haven't even told dh I found that card. Dh would think it's nothing to worry about. That why did I take it. Well our son has done things before that were decieving to me. I just don't trust him as much as I'd like to. I just worry he could be doing things that are not ok to do. I don't want to see him getting into trouble he can't get out of. He's very smart almost to the gifted point according to the psychologist who he seen a while for his ADD. He could be doing all these good things with his life. Why ruine it by getting in trouble.

When the "feds" came into your home did yu see ID? Or a warrant? I would contact an attorney about that.
As far as your child, I would call the number on the card, find out what it is for, and confront him about it. Oh, I would also make sure he was NEVER online in my home again.
This all sounds a bit odd to me. Last I looked we don't live in a military state so how could ANYONE even if they claim to be federal agents come into your home, not provide you any details, warrants or information and take away property where a minor was involved and you still know nothing about it?!
Something tells me you know more than you are writing but choose not to tell us...that's okay...I can understand that. But I'd get a lawyer if you don't already have one...
You ask how could someone with so much apparent skills choose to turn their expertise towards something criminal instead of something more worthwhile? Gosh...if we could answer that question we would be able to figure out all the world's problems eh?
Why does ANYONE turn to crime when they could do something honestly?
For the challenge perhaps? Because they like the rush of doing something wrong? Because they are lazy and want to get rich quick? Because they are just plain bad and there's no real explanation? You know, sometimes we look for alot of reasons but there are none.
If he's been doing something illegal, do not support him. Do not give him another computer. Do not trust him with ANYTHING. If this is true obviously the boy has poor judgement. Don't be one of those parents where a kid is taken away for doing something horrible and everyone asks "Where were his parents? How could they not know what he was up to?"
Edited 1/19/2007 11:33 am ET by carolwood
Certainly you have discovered enough things that are suspicious and cause for concern. It does seem likely that your DS is participating in illegal activity over the web.
I find it odd that the 'feds' -- as you call them, I'm assuming they were the local police? if they put you in a squad car? -- aren't being more forthcoming with you on why they raided your home, took your personal possessions, plus took your DS away in handcuffs. Even though he is very close to turning 18, he still is not, nor was he when this event took place. He is still a minor and you, as his mother are entitled to know what he is suspected of.
Like other have said, I feel you need to be consulting an attorney.
doing Air Force ROTC. Then when college is done. He hopes to join the Air Force. After college you can join up as a officer of some sort. The pay is better etc.
I'm in agreement with other posters, first off I'd recommend getting a good attorney. If something actually comes from the warrant, (and it can as various illegal activities have different statutes of limitations, some even for years) he can kiss any hope of federal clearance good-bye. If he's doing illegal activity, you can pretty well bet that the military is going to be seeing his records. And, they aren't probably going to want someone who's been previously engaged in illegal activities safeguarding or using important information. A good attorney would at least help you determine just WHAT it was all about.
Good luck!!
Sallie
You didn't mention how your son reacted to the Feds showing up. I'm sure if you call up the Feds they will be more than happy to give you a copy of their policies and procedures.
If the govnt has reason to believe that there is illegal activity occuring in your home, the Patriot Act gives them the right to enter your home with or without your permission, whether you are home or not. This is how America protects its nation. Guilty until proven innocent.
I am glad that you are cooperating with the feds. They'll get to the bottom of it.
An attourney??? What for?
Have you had your son tested for Aspergers? Many are being misdiagnosed with ADD when they really have something else. Symptoms are very simillar to ADD. These kids range from genius to average, that's why it is so hard to diagnose. By 2010 1 in 6 children will be diagnosed with some sort of Autism. There is help out there for him. Good luck!