KSU students arrested in fake ID scheme

 

Kent State students Antonino Bucca, left, and Drew Patenaude were charged with identity fraud, forgery and telecommunications fraud.

Kent Police arrested two Kent State students Thursday on charges of identity fraud, forgery and telecommunications fraud in connection with a fake ID scheme.

Drew H. Patenaude, 20, and Antonino G. Bucca, 20, both of Kent, were charged with identity fraud, forgery and telecommunications fraud.

The investigation began after United States Customs and Border Protection agents seized a package en route to Kent that contained multiple counterfeit driver licenses, according to a Kent Police Department news release issued Friday morning. The licenses were going to be distributed to Kent State students.

Patenaude, a junior business management major, and Bucca, a junior accounting major, are members of the Delta Upsilon fraternity. Chapter President Joey Manilla declined to comment on the case. The Delta Upsilon national office was unavailable for comment Friday evening.

Bucca has been released on a recognizance bond and a preliminary hearing is set for April 8, according to court records. Portage County Municipal Court Judge Kevin T. Poland arraigned Patenaude Friday morning and a preliminary hearing is set for April 8. Patenaude has also been released on a recognizance bond.

Both defendants were arrested Thursday evening.

The ongoing investigation, which began February 26, may yield more arrests.