Update: It's worth checking out the guy's blog again. The FBI obtained a warrant at 2 a.m. and conducted a wee-hours breakin to confiscate all of his computer equipment.

http://slightparanoia.blogspot.com/

Scans of the search warrant are posted there too.

Slashdot is also covering the story: http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=06/10/28/2358202

I still don't see how generating fake boarding passes can be construed as ""conspiracy to knowingly present a false and fictitious claim upon or against the United States, or any department or agency thereof in violation of USC 18 (secs. 2, 371, 1036, 1343, 2318) and USC 49 (secs. 46314 and 46316) and 49 CFR (secs. 1540.103 and 1540.105)." Perhaps conspiracy to present a false claim against an airline, but not the United States? Since when is a boarding pass a federal document?

It seems to me that the feds are pissed off at being humiliated over the stupidity of their ID/BP policies and are taking it out on the kid/student by confiscating his computers. Even if they never file charges, it's unlikely that he will ever get his equipment back. I feel sorry for the guy.