NEWS
Student arrested for making fakes
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by Courtney Johnson
Friday, March 23, 2007
A University of Wisconsin sophomore was arrested early Wednesday morning — two days before his 20th birthday — for making fake California identification cards with intent to sell.
Austin Cannon was arrested at his home on the 400 block of North Carroll Street after the Madison Police and Fire departments responded to reports of a structure fire in his building.
According to an MPD release, Cannon left food on his stove, producing an "extreme amount of smoke" that filled his apartment building. No injuries were reported as a result of the smoke.
Police investigated Cannon's apartment while he was present and, according to the MPD, found Cannon was "making numerous California fake identities to sell."
Following the search, Cannon was placed under arrest and taken to Dane County Jail.
Cannon was released from jail early Thursday afternoon, according to Assistant District Attorney Mike Verveer, who was in court with Cannon Thursday.
"On behalf of the district attorney's office, I recommended a signature bond to the court, which means he was able to be released from jail without posting any bail," Verveer said.
Cannon will return to court for his initial appearance April 9, after UW's spring break, Verveer said. He has yet to be formally charged by the district attorney's office.
According to Veerver, cases involving illegally manufacturing fake IDs are relatively rare for Dane County.
"It's highly unusual for anybody to be charged criminally with making fake IDs," Verveer said. "The last forgery case relating to manufacturing fake IDs had nothing to do with college students and the drinking age. It had to do with people interested in selling IDs for people who were in the country illegally."
It is also unknown whether any potential recipients of the fake IDs will face legal trouble. However, Verveer said he would be surprised if any of them were charged in relation to this case.
Since Cannon has not yet been formally charged by the district attorney, it is unclear what punishments he could face as a result of the arrest.
Anonymous (March 23, 2007 @ 7:38am):
Will this be a Patriot Act no no? Mr. Cannon might find himself in Gitmo for this.
Haha! 18 year olds aren't adults!
Anonymous (March 23, 2007 @ 10:25am):
Two days before his real birthday or the birthday on his fake?
Anonymous (March 23, 2007 @ 11:07am):
What a moron! Darwin
Anonymous (March 23, 2007 @ 11:11am):
FROM FACEBOOK: (written by the man himself...)
Austin is crying...and he misses everyone...i fucking love you guys back at wisco...
Updated 9 hours ago
Anonymous (March 23, 2007 @ 12:04pm):
This article is completely wrong, as is the DAs office. The kid was just trying to look out for his friends and provide IDs free of charge so they could live it up back in Madtown. The only thing he charged for were supplies. He deserves better than this and in the end the truth will come out.
Anonymous (March 23, 2007 @ 12:23pm):
12:04pm. How does he deserve better than being arrested for possessing materials for the fabrication of state identification?
He deserves to go to prison, but he's an affluent college kid, so while most people would start their lifetime journey through the penal system, he'll get a slap on the wrist and they'll probably even expunge it so it won't mess up his law school applications.
What a fair country we live in.
Anonymous (March 23, 2007 @ 12:39pm):
Whatever, he was still making fake id's. There's no justification for that.
Anonymous (March 23, 2007 @ 12:47pm):
they totally should have made him appear in court during break.
j johnson (March 23, 2007 @ 6:26pm):
First off, anyone of you low class loses that decided to stalk Austin and go onto his facebook and see what he wrote is obviously a complete loser. Therefore, you must not of know Austin, and if you are going to make comments negitive towards him based on this, i hope that you live a miserable life. their is no reason for anyone to wish negativity among others life, especially if you do not know them. so any of you jerks, that are making negative posts, I HOPE THAT ONE DAY YOU ARE IN THE MUCH MUCH WORSE SITUATION and perhaps are put in jail for life.
Anonymous (March 23, 2007 @ 6:49pm):
well... ...I guess Austin's mom has weighed in...
Anonymous (March 23, 2007 @ 11:54pm):
Austin is my boy. He made a mistake, and he will pay for it. But the kid means well, and I'm glad he is my friend. East coast for life, all you ignorant Midwesterners need to realize life is about more than farms and the Packers.
With love,
Long Island 4 Life
Anonymous (March 24, 2007 @ 7:23am):
11:54, Packers and farms? What about the school you're attending? Did everyone on Long Island waste their money on gold medallions and Ugs instead of building schools for higher education? SUNY, ha!
Long Island 4 Life, except for school and probably your entire working adulthood.
Anonymous (March 24, 2007 @ 1:57pm):
austin is a complete idiot and deserves whats coming....go back to boston and leave the midwest to the friendly people! i hope they throw the book at him
Anonymous (March 25, 2007 @ 1:07am):
Maybe he was making fake IDs for people to vote? Wouldn't he be doing his civic duty?
- Germain E. Stemme
j johnson (March 26, 2007 @ 10:20am):
i mean, too bad your all retarded because clearly you are jealous that you can't afford uggs, and long island is clearly superior, if you are aware and too sheltered in wisconsin the high school on long island are far superior. and what does this have to do with long island because clearly austin isn't from long island?
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