Revenge of the Geek Squad, Starring Curtis Armstrong as "Booger"

The tongue-in-cheek name of Best Buy's support team has finally produced some comic results.

A Los Angeles-area woman is suing the electronic retailer, claiming a member of its Geek Squad tech support team left a cell phone in her bathroom to surreptitiously record video of her 13-year-old daughter taking a shower.The technician was arrested shortly after the service call on suspicion of using a camera to view a person without their consent and of annoying or molesting a child under 18, both misdemeanors, according to the L.A. Sheriff's Dept.

NERRRRRRRRRDS!

Comments

[Number 6]

It's illegal to annoy a child under 18? Man, if I had only known, I could have had scads of teachers, guidance counselors, and even my parents tossed in the clink.

[norbizness]

This should serve as the springboard for a battle of the Curtis Armstrong characters in Savage Steve Holland movies... Charles De Mar (Better Off Dead) vs. Ack Ack Raymond (One Crazy Summer)

"I've been going to this high school for seven and a half years. I'm no dummy. I know high school girls."

vs.

"Do you realize that for every lost doll there's a little girl with a broken heart?"

[jimmydageek]

Wow, I didn't realize that annoying a child under 18 was a crime. Good thing no cops were around the other day when I kept trying to annoy my 3 year-old niece just for kicks.

And the "using a camera to view a person without their consent" thing, what if he had obtained consent from this 13 year-old? Would it then be OK?? WTF??

[jimmydageek]

And, no, I'm not a member of the geek squad!

[MP]

California Penal Code 647.6

647.6. (a) (1) Every person who annoys or molests any child under 18 years of age shall be punished by a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars ($5,000), by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, or by both the fine and imprisonment.

California Penal Code 647b

647b. Every person who loiters about any school in which adults are in attendance at courses established pursuant to Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 52500) of Part 28 of the Education Code, and who annoys or molests any person in attendance therein shall be punished by a fine of not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000) or by imprisonment in the county jail for not exceeding six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

[Eryk Boston]

void - for - vaugeness

[Gimme Back My Dog]

We've got bush!

[Brian Sorgatz]

Here in California, parents must keep their children constantly supplied with ice cream, ponies, etc., to avoid a criminal record for being annoying. Why wasn't I informed when I was a kid?

[de stijl]

Hairpie?!

(For some reason Lamar is non-plussed.)

[jimmydageek]

Hey, Weigal. The text you quoted above is a bit misleading. Read the LA Times article.

The phone cam recorded a 22 year-old in the shower. Then, the phone was moved from the bathroom to the 13 year-old's room.

[jb]

That seems a poor way to do the peeping. Likely to result in not getting the cell phone back. How was he planning in recovering the recording?

[de stijl]

How was he planning in recovering the recording?

Probably some sort of panty-raid scenario was being plotted. Or perhaps some kissing booth shenanigans.

[MP]

That seems a poor way to do the peeping. Likely to result in not getting the cell phone back. How was he planning in recovering the recording?

It was streaming to his other phone Jack Bauer style.

[Fluffy]

This also gives me a great idea for a lawsuit shakedown.

If you can get a hold of someone's cell phone, use it to take pictures of yourself in the shower.

Then sue the employer of that person for millions!

Woo hoo! Free money!

[FinFangFoom]

the legal standard of annoying probably means something akin to the nuisance standard for property, and that you can't annoy someone to the point that you interfere with her lawful activities. The definition doesn't have to be right there in the law.

[MP]

the legal standard of annoying probably means something akin to the nuisance standard for property, and that you can't annoy someone to the point that you interfere with her lawful activities. The definition doesn't have to be right there in the law.

Maybe, but it has no business being in a statute that includes molestation.

[Hooked on Innuendo]

Maybe he can plead down to second-degree irking.

[joe]

MP,

Look at the punishment provided in that law - one year and a $5000 fine.

That's not the "sexual contact with a child" law, that's the "annoying people" law.

[Matt]

Norbiz, lets not forget his contribution as Miles in 'Risky Business'

Miles: Sometimes you gotta say "What the Fuck", make your move. Joel, every now and then, saying "What the Fuck", brings freedom. Freedom brings opportunity, opportunity brings freedom. So your parents are going out of town. You got the place all to yourself.

Joel Goodson: Yeah.

Miles: What the fuck.

[MP]

That's not the "sexual contact with a child" law, that's the "annoying people" law.

That is unfortunately not a valid reason to combine the words "molestation" and "annoy", unless one argues that the meaning of the word "molestation" varies, depending on the context. And you shouldn't have context variations in statutes. If there is already a separate statute that deals with molestation, then this statute is either redundant, or specifically about "annoying".

[VM]

... and every time I read a post by our very own Lamar...

"and the rap by little ol' me Lamar"

hier

[Fluffy]

MP -

I bet the statute that deals with child sexual molestation probably doesn't use the word "molestation". It probably uses assault or abuse.

[zero]

That's what I love about Geek Squad customers, man. I keep getting older, they stay the same age...

[Fluffy]

MP -

Also, one definition of "to molest" is very close to "to annoy". I think that usage actually predates the usage where "to molest" means "to sexually abuse".

[downstater]

with those vague common law terms, i'm willing to bet that "annoy" doesn't mean the same kind of annoying behavior you'd get from a younger sibling or something. and molest probably means something a bit different than the catch-a-predator version.

i think FFF is right - probably akin to nuisance.

[MP]

I bet the statute that deals with child sexual molestation probably doesn't use the word "molestation". It probably uses assault or abuse.

Nope. 647.6 appears to be the statute. Note how the definition of sexual abuse specifically refers to 647.6:

11165.1. As used in this article, "sexual abuse" means sexual assault or sexual exploitation as defined by the following: (a) "Sexual assault" means conduct in violation of one or more of the following sections: Section 261 (rape), subdivision (d) of Section 261.5 (statutory rape), 264.1 (rape in concert), 285 (incest), 286 (sodomy), subdivision (a) or (b), or paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 288 (lewd or lascivious acts upon a child), 288a (oral copulation), 289 (sexual penetration), or 647.6 (child molestation).

FYI - I'm using this as my reference.

[VM]

"molestare" IT
"molester" FR
(guessing about those two languages, BTW)

what about latin or spanish ("vex" probably enters somewhere along the way)?

[Trayne]

Any other ways you guys can think of to try to prove this dageek squad guy is getting the shaft?

She was 22! Cool!
What does "annoy" mean anyway?
I let a guy record my 3 year old neice! no harm done!

Count me out of your little circle jerk.

[Commodus]

It vexes me. I'm terribly vexed.

[VM]

Trayne.

thank you for clarifying the issue.

And we completely understand that you prefer to jerk in a square.

[Jake Boone]

Question of the day:

Is Trayne reading the same thread we're reading?

[Jonathan Hohensee]

As revenge, the Geek Squad guy should destroy the mom's house with a space laser and a tub of popcorn.

[Fluffy]

Who said the guy was getting the shaft?

It's just not a very interesting story, so the comments thread turned into a discussion of the meaning of the word "annoy".

[VM]

"YES"

(today --> =!)

Trayning Wheels! Trayning Mansiere!

oh yeah. those are funni.

[de stijl]

Methinks that Trayne believes that we're down with the surreptitious taping because we're goofing on Revenge of The Nerds and what "annoy" means in the California legal code.

Trayne, we're not down with it. It's illegal and it should be. No consent, etc. Ugly and creepy.

[MP]

Trayne,

Let me know when someone makes the claim that an adult shouldn't be arrested for taking unsolicited nude photos/videos of a minor.

[Lamar]

I thought firing Imus was going to stop this behavior.

[Moi Jean, le grand arbre]

"I thought firing Imus was going to stop this behavior."

At least Al and Jesse still are mostly irrelevant!

[smacky]

Last Halloween I saw a local band play. They were dressed as the characters from Revenge of the Nerds. They even had a sign up that said "Hotel Coral Essex". with the "el" "C" and "Es" missing/shaded out.

The funny thing is that I almost instantly recognized the lead singer's costume (Lamar, complete with inflatable javelins and yes, blackface), but it took me an extra 10 minutes or so after that to realize the whole band was Nerds characters.

[MP]

Also, one definition of "to molest" is very close to "to annoy". I think that usage actually predates the usage where "to molest" means "to sexually abuse".

I did not know that until I looked that the definition of "molest".

1. To disturb, interfere with, or annoy.
2. To subject to unwanted or improper sexual activity.

I've never seen or used molest in the first capacity. I wonder if it really is still in common use? It seems that the second definition has wholly subsumed the first.

[joe]

MP,

Yes, the old definition has fallen out of usage and the second has become more common. Sort of like "nation."

You pretty much only see "molest" used in that sense in law books, often referring to bothering someone's livestock.

[jimmydageek]

MP,

Have you used it in the second capacity? Hrmmm..

[Fluffy]

Yes, the usage is almost archaic.

The only places I can recall seeing it would be in Kiplingesque military fiction - "The partisans continued to molest our supply train with hit and run raids," that sort of thing.

[downstater]

i've never seen or used molest in the first capacity. I wonder if it really is still in common use?

You pretty much only see "molest" used in that sense in law books, often referring to bothering someone's livestock.

i'd think you may also find it in old common law states (CA) that never adopted model penal code language - at least, i don't think molest in that sense appears in the mpc.

that language is kept around specifically to molest law students.

[dhex]

have any of you ever dealt with the geek squad? i get the feeling they were cut from the apple store genius bar for not being fashionable enough, but still had the right level of incompetence.

[VM]

"they were cut from the apple store genius bar for not being fashionable enough, but still had the right level of incompetence."

wait a sec.

and *YOU* told me yesterday that my "Offspring" comment was out of bounds.

hrumph.

/kicks lou reed

[Rhywun]

Any other ways you guys can think of to try to prove this dageek squad guy is getting the shaft?

How did the cell phone get from the bathroom to the bedroom? How did the guy know when to program the camera to start recording? Was he standing outside the window waiting? Or did he just leave it recording, hoping she'd shower within the few minutes of recording time you get on a cell phone? Was there even anything on the camera other than him setting it up? Wait a minute, it says he was arrested at THEIR house. Guess he WAS waiting outside. Why is it impossible for a journalist to construct a well-written article...?

[dhex]

"and *YOU* told me yesterday that my "Offspring" comment was out of bounds."

dude, the offspring are ALWAYS out of bounds! they are the Foul Ball Made Flesh.

[joe]

I like the Offspring.

I like to play "Who does this song sound like?"

[jimmydageek]

Rhywun,

I had the same questions you did when I read the article. I agree that many "journalists" leave a lot to be wanted in their reports.

[dhex]

keep in mind the PIO isn't always as forthcoming as you'd like them to be.

[lunchgiver]

Certainly I've seen 'unmolested' used in the 'undisturbed' sense rather than the 'ungotdiddledbythepreist' sense.

[Lou Reed]

God damn it, how come I get it in the teeth every time somebody badmouths fuckin' Offspring? Knock it off already!

[Timothy]

Lou Reed stole my lunch and gave it to a hobo!

[Lou Reed]

Well, yeah, but the hobo in question was John Cale.

[jimmydageek]

I thought the hobo in question was Nico?

[eb]

Assuming the charge about the cel phone is accurate, the guy sounds like an asshole. I can think of some creepy things that would fall under "annoy or molest" such a guy could try that if done to a child of mine, I'd be glad to see charges.

I worked for a guy once who was caught with hidden cameras in our model's dressing room. Those girls (most were teenagers) were really upset. I think the fact that somebody has been watching you in a private situation is very unsettling. As far as I'm concerned, if the charges are true, fuck him.

Best Buy is going to be paying a big settlement on this.

[VM]

Punishment:

the Juggernaut is gonna beat the shit out of him with Charles, as a matter of fact!

hier

[lunchgiver]

Yeah, but zombie Nico only eats brains anymore.

[gaijin]

The definition doesn't have to be right there in the law.

Right, because if it was, then the general population might have a chance of understanding the law without aid of an army of lawyers...or the politicians hellbent to showthere is no issue about which they don't 'care' greatly.

[Travis]

Yet another reason to avoid geek squad/best buy like the plague.

[AC]

My friends and I frequently use "molest" to mean "annoy". I had no idea it was antiquated. Like if someone is bothering me at work, I tell them to stop molesting me, I've got work to do. Or my wife tells me to stop molesting the cat - which means I'm doing something to annoy the cat, not engaging in bestiality. Of course, the reason we use it is because of the implicit double entendre.

[VM]

"Or my wife tells me to stop molesting the cat "

somehow this Moose now has a new understanding for AC's "try Tiger" sig line...

hmmmmmm.

*nibbles thoughtfully on tater tot taken from zipper pocket of jeans

[cuddly_-1024]

I often hear and use "un-molested" refering to old cars. As in un-modified or original.

On the other hand, a car that has been molested is seen as fucked up. So maybe people that cut door panels on old cars to put cheap speakers in could be brought up on charges of some type.

[Stevo Darkly]

Of course, the reason we use it is because of the implicit double entendre.

A great deal of the intercourse I have with others is spiced up by the occasional implicit double entendre.

[Jon H]

The main question is, does California have an Annoying Persons Registry?

[-]

"The main question is, does California have an Annoying Persons Registry?"

Doesn't need one - they're all up-thread of you here on H&R.