Thread: Brooklyn man convicted of identity theft

Friday
March 7, 2008




Brooklyn man convicted of identity theft

MILFORD – The Pike County District Attorney’s office announced that Olusani Amos Selete from Brooklyn, New York was convicted of Identity Theft and Access Device Fraud both felonies.

The conviction came after a two-day trial in front a jury of ten women and two men that ended on Thursday. The jury deliberated for almost an hour before delivering a guilty verdict on the only two charges presented to them.

Selete has been incarcerated in the Pike County Correctional Facility since August of last year when he was extradited to Pike County from New York through what is called a governor’s warrant. The victim in the case was a female Milford resident who is 81 years of age. The victim became aware her identity was stolen back in 2001 when collection companies on behalf of a credit card company began contacting her about a debt of over $12,000. Over the course of a three-year investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police determined Selete was responsible and obtained an arrest warrant. Selete was arrested in New York City in 2006 in relation to another matter and has been in custody since that time.

First Assistant District Attorney Bruce DeSarro said that the main evidence in the case was several convenience checks written out to Selete which totaled approximately $9,500.00. Selete also signed the back of each check. In obtaining the account, Selete used the female victim’s name as well as a made up male name. DeSarro stated that putting the additional name on the account is a common trick used by identity thieves where the victim is of a different gender. DeSarro stated Selete is also subject to active warrants from the Immigration and Custom Enforcement. The warrant from ICE comes as a result of the Defendant being an undocumented illegal alien. Selete has used several different identities over the past decade including using another social security number and a fake California driver’s license.

District Attorney Ray Tonkin stated that the crime was especially egregious because of the age of the victim.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 22. Selete’s bail was revoked after the verdict.


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Here is another victim that needs to be faxed to our reprentatives. We need a thread for victims so we can have a weekly bulletin going to our representatives and our advocates in DC.