Brooklyn man convicted of identity theft in Pike

MILFORD — Pike County District Attorney Ray Tonkin last week 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 March 6. The jury deliberated for approximately fifty minutes 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 81-year-old Milford woman. 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 woman’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 said 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. DeSarro stated that Selete has used several different identities over the past decade including using another social security number and a fake California driver’s license. DeSarro stated that because of the several aliases used and the lack of documentation it is difficult to be certain as to the true identity of the defendant. Further, DeSarro stated that it is still unclear as to how Selete obtained the victim’s identification information in that the victim never had any connection to him. District Attorney Tonkin stated that the crime was especially egregious because of the age of the victim. Tonkin stated that his Office sought and obtained an enhancement of the grading of the offense due to the victim’s age, which will allow the Court to provide an increased penalty. Sentencing is scheduled for May 22. President Judge Joseph Kameen revoked selete’s bail after the conviction and he will be ineligible for any release from custody.