
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 18, 1990                   TAG: 9004180650
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                LENGTH: Short

DESCRAMBLER CHARGES LEAD TO INDICTMENTS

A federal grand jury has indicted two Fredericksburg business partners who allegedly sold pay television descramblers.

James C. Weaver, 46, and Judy M. Rigdon, 45, who operated the Weaver Satellite Center in Fredericksburg, were indicted Tuesday on charges of selling communications intercept devices, conspiracy and obstruction of justice.

Court records listed their addresses as unknown and the two were being sought. Authorities believe the business closed in June 1989.

To limit access to only those paying for the programs, satellite television broadcasters electronically "scramble" their transmissions and those wishing to view the programs must use a descrambler provided by the broadcaster.

By tampering with the circuits of a descrambler it is possible to view the satellite signals without the permission of the broadcasters.

- Associated Press

by CNB