Fake Honors Student Gets More Jail Time Before Deportation

Fake Honors Student Gets More Jail Time Before Deportation
Artur Samarin arrives for a preliminary hearing in Harrisburg, Pa., in this file photo. AP Photo/Bradley C Bower, File
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HARRISBURG, Pa.—A 24-year-old Ukrainian man who lied about his name and age to attend a Pennsylvania high school was sentenced Tuesday to 11½ to 23 months in jail for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old classmate and stealing a public school education.

A Dauphin County judge on Tuesday also ordered Artur Samarin to repay the Harrisburg School District $44,000 while he spends seven years on probation after his release from jail, Pennlive.com first reported. But First Assistant District Attorney Fran Chardo said he doesn’t expect either will happen because Samarin has agreed to be deported once his jail term is up.

“I don’t ever expect to see that money,” Chardo said.

A federal judge earlier this month sentenced Samarin to two months in prison for passport fraud and Social Security fraud. Samarin will serve the state court sentence imposed Tuesday first before serving the federal sentence.

Samarin was called Asher Potts at John Harris High School. He impressed teachers and community leaders—including participating in Junior ROTC and student government—before authorities learned his identity and true age. He had legally entered the country before overstaying his expired visa.

Artur Samarin arrives for a preliminary hearing in Harrisburg, Pa., in this file photo. (AP Photo/Bradley C Bower, File)
Artur Samarin arrives for a preliminary hearing in Harrisburg, Pa., in this file photo. AP Photo/Bradley C Bower, File