Pokemon GO player sentenced for playing in the wrong place

This is not the first time we'll be covering a bizarre story involving a Pokemon GO player. And, considering summer is just around the corner and in-game activity will probably rise again, it won't be the last. But it's probably the most unexpected one.

In addition to offending the church, Sokolovsky was found guilty of “illegal trafficking of special technical equipment” after a pen with a built-in camera was found in his home during a search. For all of his offenses, prosecution pushed for a sentence of 42 months behind bars, so Sokolovsky was rather relieved that he ended up with a suspended one, even if it's for the same period of time.

“Without the support from reporters, I would possibly have been given a real prison sentence,” he said.

This is not the first time churches and Pokemon have clashed. In July 2016, a trainer bearing the username Pinknose claimed the notoriously anti-gay Westboro Baptist Church, which happened to be a gym, and left a Clefairy named Love Is Love to guard it. This resulted in a furious response by the WBC on Twitter, which condemned both the game and that specific Clefairy.

Sokolovsky's story should serve as a reminder that Pokemon GO players should remain aware of their surroundings. You will always have a second chance at catching a shiny Magikarp, but a sentence, suspended or not, is a permanent stain on your record. Don't break real laws for a chance of virtual rewards.

via BBC