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The New Jersey man suspected of creating the "Melissa" virus that disrupted computers nationwide last week appeared in court on Thursday to be charged with violating New Jersey computer laws.

David Smith, 30, came before Monmouth County Superior Court Judge John Ricciardi to be charged with three offenses --interruption of public communication, conspiracy to commit the offense and attempt to commit the offense, each of which carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.

He was also charged with two lesser offenses -- theft of computer services and damage or wrongful access to computer systems, each of which carries a maximum prison sentence of five years.

If convicted, Smith, of Aberdeen, New Jersey, could also be fined up to $480,000.

After the 15-minute hearing, Smith declined to answer reporters' questions.

His attorney, Edward Borden of Princeton, New Jersey, said, "I think they are trying to take a set of facts and shoehorn them into laws that don't apply."

Smith, free on $100,000 bail, was staying with family members, his lawyer said.

Smith was arrested last Thursday in connection with the "Melissa" computer virus that forced some companies to shut down their electronic mail systems.

The virus disrupted and crashed some e-mail and computer networks for thousands of companies as well as government agencies by overloading their systems.

"You are charged with some serious offenses," Ricciardi told Smith, who looked somber as the judge advised him the charges would now go to a grand jury.

It was not known when the case would be handed to a grand jury, but a spokesman for New Jersey Attorney General Peter Verniero said it would be very soon.