Well let me add another 'exceptional case' then. I worked with a felon who was even able to get a security clearance and a government job and serve on 'special' assignments.

Swartz happened to work in one of the very few fields where a CFAA felony is not only not a big deal, but might even be considered a badge of honor. So IMHO the argument that a felony would have been some kind of death sentence for aaronsw definitely requires evidence.