New Jersey student charged with changing grades

ORANGE, N.J. (AP) -- Authorities in northern New Jersey say a high school student has been charged with unlawfully accessing a school computer to change the grades and attendance records of multiple students.

Officials from the Essex County prosecutor's office and the Orange Police Department announced Monday that a 16-year-old sophomore from Orange has been charged with multiple counts of computer theft for unlawfully accessing and altering data and hindering apprehension.

Prosecutors say a criminal investigation began after school officials notified the Orange Police Department that an unauthorized user had gained access to the school's computer system. Investigators say the student allegedly used the password of a staff member without authorization.

The 16-year-old was arrested and charged on Friday and released on his own recognizance.

Several students were disciplined administratively by the local district.