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http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/megaupload-kim-dotcom-arrest-sopa-283768

Wild Details in Bizarre Arrest of Megaupload Founder
10:04 AM PST 1/21/2012 by Philiana Ng

(image/Kim Dotcom's estate in New Zealand)

After New Zealand police attempted to gain entry into Kim Dotcom's $30 million home, he barricaded himself from officers in a safe room.

New details on the arrest of Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom have been released, and they are reminiscent of a scene from a high-octane action movie.

Dotcom was one of four men arrested in an investigation of the massive file-sharing website led by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, but he wasn't cooperative in the slightest, Reuters reports.

Dozens of police officers, with helicopters flying overhead, broke into Dotcom's mansion, which sits on farmland and is believed to be worth $30 million in New Zealand dollars, after he refused to let them in.

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"Despite our staff clearly identifying themselves, Mr. Dotcom retreated into the house and activated a number of electronic-locking mechanisms," detective inspector Grant Wormald said.

That forced the police to break the locks, with Dotcom -- also known as Kim Schmitz -- barricading himself into a safe room that officers had to cut through in order to gain entry.

"Once they gained entry into this room, they found Mr. Dotcom near a firearm which had the appearance of a shortened shotgun. It was definitely not as simple as knocking at the front door," Wormald said.

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It is said that Dotcom made $42 million in 2010 alone. Police seized many of his possessions, including luxury cars, artwork and LCD televisions. In addition, about $175 million was seized and dozens of bank accounts from Megaupload executives frozen.

Federal authorities shut down Megaupload earlier this week amid SOPA backlash. According to a 72-page indictment, Megaupload claims more than 1 billion visitors in its history, with 50 million visitors on a daily basis for about 4 percent of all Internet traffic.

Shortly after Megaupload went down, the hacktivist group Anonymous targeted key government and music websites, including the Depart of Justice, Universal Music Group and the MPAA.

In recent days, Hollywood studios have reportedly been upset that the White House backed away from the anti-piracy legislation they believe is pivotal in cracking down "rogue" foreign websites.
 

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