FIRST ON 3: Two students charged in school system computer attack

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Deputies say two South Brunswick High School students are charged for unlawfully accessing the Brunswick County School’s computer system.

Deputies say Justin Wright (left) and Onzel Ballard (right), both 16, have each been charged with one count of misdemeanor accessing computers and computer trespassing. They say Wright and Ballard were processed into the Brunswick County Jail and released to the custody of their parents.

Deputies say the incidents occurred between September 15, 2014 and March 25, 2015 and disrupted internet connectivity throughout the system. When WWAY spoke to teachers about the incidents, they told us it made their days very difficult and affected the productivity of their students.

“We appreciate the quick work of investigators to identify suspects in the DDoS attacks,” said Superintendent Les Tubb. “The system’s connectivity has been restored and we are back to business as usual.”