identity fraud Asher Potts Harrisburg High School students in Ukrainian, because visas had expired

On paper, Asher Potts was a model student.

The 18-year-old had one of the highest GPAs at Harrisburg High School, was the runner-up for homecoming king and was an active member of the community.

But his teachers and classmates were left stunned after police revealed Potts isn’t actually a teenager – but a 23-year-old Ukrainian national called Artur Samarin.

He had been masquerading as a schoolboy for four years because his visa had run out, and managed to achieve stunning credentials while doing so.

The alleged fraudster is accused of using a fake ID and social security card to apply for a place at the Pennsylvania school after moving from Eastern Europe.He registered under the name Asher Potts in 2012, and by May 2014 he had a 4.16 GPA. He was also a member of the ROTC and Naval Sea Cadet Program.

Until his arrest, Samarian was actively involved in school life and took part in a list of extra-curricular activities.

On the academic side he also excelled, juggling honors and AP classes, while enrolling in courses at the Harrisburg University of Science and Technology.

He was recently one of the youth panelists on a town hall forum to discuss violence, an event that was covered on TV station Local21News.
Samarin (mugshot pictured) is accused of using a fake ID and social security card to apply for a place at the Pennsylvania school after moving from Eastern Europe. His U.S. visa had run out

Samarin (mugshot pictured) is accused of using a fake ID and social security card to apply for a place at the Pennsylvania school after moving from Eastern Europe. His U.S. visa had run out

One of the people also speaking at the event was Harrisburg Police Chief Thomas Carter

He was also was a member of the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank’s inaugural Junior Advisory Council.

Potts was also a member of the ROTC and Naval Sea Cadet program, according to ABC27.

State Rep. Patty Kim, D-Harrisburg, also tweeted about Potts when he was inducted into the National Honor Society in 2014.

As of September, Samarin was also believed to have been elected as student council president.

However he was arrested on Wednesday and charged with false identification, Penn Live reported.

The circumstances of his arrest are not clear but he is believed to have been arrested at his home.

When he was arrested, police said Samarin had a Pennsylvania driver’s license issued under the name of Potts.

Kirsten Keys, a spokeswoman for the school district, told Penn Live: ‘We are treating this as a serious matter.

‘At this time, the investigation is in the hands of the Harrisburg Bureau of Police. The district will continue to cooperate fully with the police department as they move forward with their investigation.’

Gene Veno, former Chief Recovery Officer at the school district who knew Samarin from his work with the school board, told PennLive that Samarin was ‘focused and driven’ and ‘always a gentleman.’

‘I marveled at his maturity,’ Veno said.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has confirmed that it’s monitoring the case.

Online court records don’t list an attorney for Samarin, who remained in jail Thursday on charges including identity theft and tampering with public records.

The Harrisburg City Police Department told Daily Mail Online they could not release more information because of the ongoing investigation.

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