A 23-year-old Ukrainian immigrant to the U.S. with an expired visa, who for several years masqueraded as a high school student was arrested by police in Pennsylvania.
Artur Samarin assumed the identity of Asher Potts and became a high-flying US high school pupil after his visa expired in 2012.
The Evening Standard reports:
He had somehow obtained social security documents and a drivers’ licence, according to police in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
He has been charged with theft, identity theft, and tampering with public records, Pennlive.com reported.
As a student, the 23-year-old man was a celebrated member of the community, featuring as a youth panellist in a TV broadcast debate on violence and excelling academically.
Harrisburg school district official Gene Veno told Pennlive.com he was always “focused and driven”, adding: “I marvelled at his maturity.”
He was also pictured in a tweet posted by local politician Patty Kim.
Asher Potts, #HBG HS soph with a 4.16 GPA in ROTC is a new member of the Nat’l Honor Society. #goingplaces #proud pic.twitter.com/s2wmjj6lTk
— Rep. Patty Kim (@RepPattyKim) May 30, 2014
After referencing his strong grades, she used the hashtags #goingplaces and #proud.