American’s Computer, Hard Drives Seized

(Shawn Berry — CanadaEast News Service)

Judge not impressed by behaviour at border

Border guards are trying to determine what’s on a laptop computer seized from an American man who refused to give them access to encrypted information stored on the device.

Carl David Todaro, 38, of Clarks Summit, Pa., was arrested by a Canada Border Services Agency officer Wednesday afternoon after he tried to cross into Canada at the Houlton-Woodstock port of entry.

Todaro, who will be barred from re-entering Canada, appeared in provincial court Thursday afternoon and pleaded guilty to hindering a Canada Border Services Agency officer.

He was fined $1,000 and had his computer and two external hard drives seized for further inspection.

“The results of the examination will be turned over to U.S. authorities,’’ said federal Crown prosecutor David Hitchcock. Read more here.