As an IT employee of the city of San Francisco, Childs managed computer networks in the city. In the scope of his employment, he designed and built a network that all of the other city computers and networks depend on to provide city services. He also made himself the sole administrator, and was the only person with the passwords to the system.

After a dispute with the IT security person, Childs was suspended, but refused to give hand the passwords over when requested. (In fact, during the meeting where the information was requested, he actually gave false information.) Although it doesn't appear that he accessed the network or made any unauthorized changes, he also prevented the city from being able to administer their own network.

The city claimed that Childs had potentially 'booby-trapped' the network to ensure that there would be network problems during scheduled power outages, and that he had set up modems that would allow him to remotely access the network without being logged. It also appears that Childs had an access card & ID badge belonging to another employee, and had the user names and passwords of other employees (including his boss). These would have allowed him to access the premises and the system, while any actions he took would appear to have been taken by someone else.

Three of the four charges against him were dismissed in August 2009, but he's still charged with denial of service.