Shortly after the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, computer break-ins at more than 90 U.S. military and governmental agencies caused severe security compromises and data destruction. In 2002, U.S. investigators reportedly tracked the software used for the attacks to an e-mail account belong to McKinnon's girlfriend. Since that time, the United States has sought McKinnon's extradition.

On Thursday, the European Court of Human Rights -- where appeals had escalated the case -- finally gave the OK to send McKinnon to the United States. But in what some see as a last-ditch effort to keep McKinnon on British soil, reports are circulating that the 42-year-old has just been diagnosed with Aspberger's syndrome. Aspberger's is often described as a form of high-functioning autism. In itself, this diagnosis wouldn't prevent his trial in the United States, but British law may see things differently.

The Crime

McKinnon has already admitted publicly that he broke into U.S. government computer systems, but he maintains he did no damage. Justice Department officials charge, however, that he compromised and deleted records at a key naval-operations center in New Jersey and repeatedly crashed systems belonging to NASA and the Pentagon. McKinnon claims he was snooping for evidence of a UFO cover-up by the U.S. government.

Allegedly, McKinnon posted the following message on a military computer system during his months-long spree: "U.S. foreign policy is akin to government-sponsored terrorism these days ... It was not a mistake that there was a huge security stand down on September 11 last year ... I am SOLO. I will continue to disrupt at the highest levels."

McKinnon and his lawyers rejected several plea offers by the United States, instead taking their case all the way up the British court system and then to the European Court of Human Rights. There are reports that the last rejected plea deal would have netted McKinnon a mere six months in low-security lockup. His attorneys have been steadfast in blocking extradition, however, as they fear it sets a dangerous precedent in international law.

Tensions Running High

Tensions are high in the United Kingdom on this issue, with many reporters and pundits claiming McKinnon is the victim of a post-9/11 witch hunt, or that he will face an incredibly heinous sentence in the United States. According to one British editorial, "... he [McKinnon] could well receive a grossly disproportionate sentence for an offence that would be dealt with in this country with a fine and community service."

Other editorials are painting McKinnon as a scapegoat. Some British hysterics are postulating McKinnon will get up to 60 years of hard time in the United States. Estimates from legal experts in the United States, however, indicate he's more likely to face fines and less than seven years in prison.

U.S. Justice Department officials would not comment on McKinnon's imminent arrival, and for good reason: McKinnon is taking his last-ditch Aspberger's plea to Britain's Home Secretary Jacqui Smith. If it is rejected there, however, McKinnon could be in a U.S. facility in seven to 10 days.