Crime | Sarah Palin Accused Palin Hacker Pleads Not Guilty David Kernell free for now but faces up to 5 years in prison By Sarah Quinn Posted Oct 8, 2008 2:15 PM CDT Copied David Kernell, 20, leaves the federal courthouse in Knoxville, Tenn., Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2008, with his attorney Wade Davies, right. (AP Photo/Lisa Norman-Hudson) A Tennessee college student has been indicted on charges of hacking into Sarah Palin's email account and posting private info online, the Knoxville News Sentinel reports. David Kernell, the 20-year-old son of state Democratic Rep. Michael Kernell, pleaded not guilty. His trial is set for Dec. 16; he's free until then as long as he restricts his computer use to school work, doesn't leave Eastern Tennessee, and doesn't contact Palin. Kernell could get hit with 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. "Cyber crime is the FBI's top criminal investigative priority," an agent said. Read These Next North Carolina shooting suspect once walked the red carpet. The gunman who killed 4 at a Michigan church was an ex-marine. Skydivers leap from plane 2 minutes before fatal crash. Tossed beers, hostile fans take the spotlight at Ryder Cup. Report an error