Reno woman named high-tech crime director

Friday, Jan. 21, 2000 | 10:26 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- A Reno woman has been named the first executive director of a high-tech crime advisory board created by the 1999 Legislature.

The nine-member Nevada Technological Crime Advisory Board Wednesday selected Tara Shepperson. Shepperson has been a technical consultant to school districts, helping them get on line with the Internet. In addition, she worked for ten years in Elko helping stage the Cowboy Poetry event.

Due to a limited budget of $80,000 authorized by the legislature, she will be a half-time employee.

Chief Deputy Attorney General Kevin Higgins said the duties and responsiblities of the position include seeking grants to continue to support the 'high-tech crimes' program. Shepperson is currently working toward a doctorate degree at the University of Nevada, Reno.

There were 70 applications for the post. The board interviewed three finalists and one alternate.

The law says the board, consisting of government and private sector Governor-appointed members, must "facilitate cooperation between state, local and federal officers in detecting, investigating and prosecuting technological crimes." It must administer "a program to secure governmental information systems against illegal intrusions and other criminal activities."

Multi-agency task forces must be created in Las Vegas and Reno, composed of investigators, prosecutors and those in private industry who are knowledgeable in the prevention and detection of high-tech crime.

The law specifies penalties for breaking into or corrupting computer files, spreading a computer virus or disrupting service not only for computers but for telephones, pagers, cell phones or fax machines.

It allows a victim to file suit, and it requires providers of Internet services to keep certain information confidential about its customers.