Lane broke down in tears upon learning his sentence, which includes three years of supervised release and a $25,000 fine.
Judge Guzman acknowledged Lane’s young age but stressed that his case highlights the dangers of modern technology and youth access to it. “Parents have placed computers in their children’s bedrooms and provided cell phones to grade schoolers without proper guardrails,” she said. “Lane won’t be the last one to exhibit bravado behind the screen of a computer.”
PowerSchool Hacker ‘Thankful I Got Caught,’ Sentenced to 4 Years in Prison
Cybercrime and Accountability
Federal prosecutors argued that Lane’s actions were motivated by greed, pointing to earlier crimes, including an extortion attempt against a U.S.-based telecommunications company. In a sentencing memo, they described him as “calculating” and “dangerous,” noting that the PowerSchool breach was “not an impulsive act but a deliberate campaign.”
While Judge Guzman showed leniency due to Lane’s age and expressed hope for his rehabilitation, she emphasized the seriousness of his actions. “This should serve as a cautionary tale,” she said. “The reach of technology today makes it easier than ever to cause harm on a global scale.”
