Fugitive Posed as Student for Years, Aiming to Attend MIT

Bassyonni

ago 2 hours

Fugitive Posed as Student for Years, Aiming to Attend MIT

A striking case has emerged involving a fugitive who masqueraded as a student for years, with aspirations to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Anthony Michael Lennon, 44, had been living under the alias Justin Phillips in New York’s North Country, successfully evading authorities for over a decade.

Background of the Fugitive

Lennon was last seen in a material science class taught by Rashid Aidun at a college in New York. His academic performance was impressive; he maintained a straight-A record and planned to transfer to several prestigious institutions, including MIT.

Charges and Capture

Lennon was originally charged in 2012 for staging a kidnapping scene in Oklahoma.
He was also implicated in child pornography allegations, having previously pleaded guilty after authorities discovered 50 gigabytes of related material on his computer.
In July, he was placed on Oklahoma’s “Ten Most Wanted List.”

His arrest occurred on October 30, 2023, at a grocery store in Canton, a small town near the Canadian border. Authorities utilized fingerprint identification to confirm his identity.

Current Legal Proceedings

Lennon is currently in custody in Syracuse, facing a hearing scheduled for November 19. During this session, federal authorities will determine his identity. As of now, it is unclear whether he has legal representation addressing his historical charges.

University Response and Investigation

Upon learning of his arrest, the State University of New York suspended Lennon and barred him from campus. The university had recognized him solely by his alias, and no previous identity records were found.

While Lennon excelled academically, neither his professors nor classmates were aware of his criminal past. Aidun remarked that Lennon seemed like a dedicated student, contributing positively to his peers.

What’s Next?

Law enforcement officials, including U.S. Marshals, are continuing their investigation into Lennon’s activities during the years he was on the run. Many questions remain concerning how he managed to evade capture and the details of his life disguised as a student.