Student arrested for fake IDs gets hearing postponed

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The preliminary hearing for one of the Kent State juniors facing criminal charges for a fake ID shipment has been rescheduled for April 15.

Antonino Bucca, 20-year-old junior accounting major, was scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing at the Kent Municipal Court Friday morning on charges of identity fraud, forgery and telecommunications fraud.

Bucca’s attorney, Marcus Sidoti, filed for a continuance Thursday. Court records did not state the reason behind the motion.

Drew Patenaude, 20, is also scheduled for a preliminary hearing Friday morning on identity fraud, forgery and telecommunications fraud.

Patenaude’s attorney, Michael Giulitto, filed for a continuance Wednesday because of a scheduling conflict. Court records did not indicate whether Giulitto’s request for a continuance had been granted Thursday evening.

Kent Police arrested Bucca and Patenaude on March 31 in connection with a shipment of counterfeit IDs intercepted by the United States Customs and Border Protection of Ohio. Brian Bell, the customs spokesman for Ohio, said the 90 IDs recovered were hidden in an electronic device and originated in China.

Kent Police believe it was the intent of the two students to sell and distribute the IDs to underage students.

Contact Julie Sickel at [email protected].