This just sounds like one of those ideas that sounds funny over beers with friends, but when you actually do it -- well, the long arm of the law really does come after you.

Walter Powell, 52, was the director of management information systems at Baltimore Substance Abuse Systems who got fired in September 2009 and, soon after, started hacking his former employer's computer system, authorities said.

In one incident, Powell hijacked the CEO's digital presentation to the board of directors, and then displayed pornography. Yes, that really happened. Our crime blogger, Peter Hermann, has more details on it. It involved a PowerPoint presentation and a 64-inch TV.

Circuit Court Judge M. Brooke Murdock handed down a two-year suspended sentence, 100 hours of community service, and three years of probation. She also barred Powell from possessing remote-access software. My guess is that Mr. Powell won't be getting a job in tech support anytime soon.

Here's the press release from the Baltimore State's Attorney's office: