Several days after his arrest, Nigel was still incarcerated. Ellen hired an attorney without using a recommendation from Sally or anyone else. She found Julius Shcherbakov, Esquire, in Newport, the next town over. Julius promised to work with Agent Appleton and believed that he could have Nigel released within the next twenty-four hours.

“The FBI’s case is weak. All of the evidence is circumstantial,” Julius said.

Ellen felt assured that Julius was working on Nigel’s behalf. She had sold her only vehicle, her jewelry, and other valuable items to help pay for Nigel’s defense. She also thought about getting another job.

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“You should set up a fundraiser page to help raise the additional funds,” Julius suggested. “I will help you.”

With Julius’s help, Ellen was able to craft a message for the crowdfunding website:

“Nigel Watson is an honor student and takes time away from his studies to help others. His grades have guaranteed an internship for a large software company. My son has been wrongly arrested for crimes of computer hacking he did not commit. The FBI has failed to provide sufficient evidence, so I demand my son be released immediately. Please help my son and donate whatever you can to aid in his defense.”