Freshman charged on 10 counts of fraud
Posted on March 13, 2008
JMU freshman Paul Hong was charged on Thursday, Feb. 28, with 10 counts of fraudulent use of a birth certificate or license following an investigation that took place earlier this month, according to court documents. If found guilty, Hong could spend up to 10 years in prison.
“We’re just waiting to take a look at the evidence they have against Mr. Hong and then we’ll proceed from that point forward,” Hong’s attorney William Eldridge said. “He’s obviously innocent until proven guilty and we want to look at what the evidence shows.”
Hong, a psychology major from Burke, was arrested on Feb. 27 following an investigation after officers searched his dorm room for marijuana earlier this month.
“I know I have done wrong and I am dealing with it in my own ways,” Hong said in an e-mail sent March 1.
According to the search warrant filed Feb. 7, authorizing a search for marijuana or paraphernalia, JMU Police Officer Rodney McCarter executed a search of Hong’s room on Feb. 4 seizing items including a firework, plant-like substance, pills, a white tube with marijuana inside and a tall, green smoking device.
While searching under Hong’s bed, McCarter found multiple Kentucky Operators’ Licenses, blank card stock used for making licenses and hologram type images. The search warrant inventory and return lists: blank ID cards and ID cards with individuals on them, 21 pieces of card stock and/or fictitious licenses, a Massanutten ski pass, a New Jersey license and a list of names on paper.
The case is set for trial on March 20.
