February 12, 2025 | JacobiJournal.com — Stealing Deceased Classmate’s Identity: A Philadelphia man has pleaded guilty to multiple felony charges after authorities discovered he had stolen the identity of a deceased classmate and used it to commit fraud. Attorney General Dave Sunday announced that Anthony Percell admitted to identity theft, insurance fraud, theft by deception, and forgery in Philadelphia County Court.
Cases involving stolen identities of deceased individuals are particularly troubling because they often go undetected for years. Experts note that criminals exploit gaps in death records and reporting systems, making it easier to assume a false identity without immediate suspicion. This form of identity theft not only deceives institutions but also causes additional pain for families of the deceased, who may face unexpected legal or financial complications when the fraud is uncovered.
Decades-Old Identity Theft Uncovered
Investigators found that Percell had assumed the identity of a former classmate who died in 1986. He used the stolen information to obtain a driver’s license, register a vehicle, apply for a concealed carry firearms permit, and secure insurance. In a more elaborate scheme, he even filed a fraudulent workers’ compensation claim under the deceased individual’s name.
Percell’s crimes extended beyond state violations. Federal prosecutors also charged him for using the false identity to obtain a U.S. passport and gain airport access—both serious offenses that raised national security concerns.
Sentencing and Legal Consequences
Under a plea agreement, Percell will serve a prison sentence ranging from six to 23 months, followed by seven years of probation. Additionally, he is permanently barred from using anyone else’s identity for any reason. The court also ordered him to forfeit all assets and documents obtained through fraud.
Attorney General Sunday condemned the scheme, emphasizing its potential risks:
“This defendant brazenly stole the identity of a classmate who died decades ago and used that information to apply for a concealed firearms permit and other privileges, potentially putting the public at risk.”
A Warning on Identity Theft and Fraud
Cases like this highlight the dangers of identity theft, especially when used to commit multiple forms of fraud. Law enforcement agencies continue to crack down on individuals who manipulate personal information for financial and legal gain.
For consumers, the risks go beyond financial loss. Identity theft can damage credit scores, delay loan approvals, and even create legal complications if stolen information is tied to criminal activity. Experts recommend monitoring credit reports regularly, safeguarding personal documents, and reporting suspicious activity immediately to reduce exposure to fraud.
Read the full report from the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.
New Update: Federal Appeals Court Upholds Philadelphia Man’s Identity Theft Conviction
The Philadelphia identity theft case involving Anthony Percell reached an important appellate milestone on April 10, 2025, when the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit affirmed his federal criminal judgment. Percell had spent nearly three decades using the identity of a deceased former classmate to obtain identification documents, insurance coverage, and other benefits. In February 2025, Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced that Percell had pleaded guilty in Philadelphia County Court to insurance fraud, theft by deception, identity theft, and forgery.
Under his state plea agreement, Percell received a sentence of six to 23 months in prison, followed by seven years of probation, with the state prison term running concurrently with his federal sentence. His federal prosecution involved additional offenses connected to obtaining identification documents, applying for government benefits, and securing a United States passport using another person’s identity. The subsequent Third Circuit decision confirmed that his federal conviction would remain intact following appellate review.
The federal appeal centered on a specific legal question involving the aggravated identity theft statute, 18 U.S.C. § 1028A(a)(1). Percell argued that the statute did not criminalize the use of identification information belonging to someone who had already died. His federal prosecution had included a charge of aggravated identity theft arising from his fraudulent passport application, and the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania had rejected an earlier motion to dismiss that charge.
Percell subsequently pleaded guilty while preserving his right to challenge the district court’s ruling. On January 2, 2024, the federal court sentenced him to 24 months in prison for aggravated identity theft and one day of imprisonment on the remaining counts. During his appeal, however, the Third Circuit determined that Percell had not properly presented his argument about deceased individuals during the district court proceedings. His earlier challenge instead focused on whether the identity information was sufficiently central to the underlying passport fraud offense under the Supreme Court’s decision in Dubin v. United States. Because the arguments were legally distinct, the appellate court concluded that Percell had forfeited the issue he attempted to raise on appeal.
The Third Circuit’s ruling is significant because it illustrates the importance of preserving specific legal arguments before a criminal case reaches appellate review. Although the federal government maintained that aggravated identity theft protections extend to the identities of deceased individuals, the appellate judges expressly declined to resolve that broader statutory question. Instead, they affirmed Percell’s judgment because he had not properly raised the argument in the lower court and had not demonstrated good cause for the omission. The opinion was designated nonprecedential, meaning it does not establish binding circuit-wide precedent on the statutory issue. Nevertheless, the decision left Percell’s federal conviction and sentence undisturbed.
The combined state and federal prosecutions also demonstrate how identity theft can affect multiple systems, including insurance underwriting, workers’ compensation claims, motor vehicle registration, passport issuance, and access to restricted facilities. For insurance companies and government agencies, the case reinforces the importance of verifying identities and identifying inconsistencies across official records. As of October 2026, the published appellate decision establishes that Percell’s federal conviction was affirmed, but it does not independently establish whether he has completed his sentence or satisfied every condition imposed in the separate state proceedings.
FAQs: About the Philadelphia Identity Theft Case
What did investigators uncover in this Philadelphia identity theft case?
They discovered the man had stolen the identity of a classmate who died in 1986, using it to commit fraud and obtain official documents.
How was identity theft connected to insurance fraud in this case?
The defendant used the stolen identity to secure insurance and even filed a fraudulent workers’ compensation claim.
What legal consequences follow identity theft convictions like this one?
In this case, the plea deal included a prison term of six to 23 months, probation, and a permanent ban on using another person’s identity.
Why is identity theft considered a serious crime?
It undermines public safety, increases financial risks, and can even raise national security concerns when used to obtain documents like passports.
What happens if someone steals the identity of a deceased person?
Stealing the identity of a deceased individual is a serious crime. It can be used to commit fraud, open accounts, or obtain official documents, and may result in criminal charges including identity theft, forgery, and fraud. Families of the deceased may also face legal or financial complications.
What is the penalty for identity theft in PA?
In Pennsylvania, identity theft can carry felony charges. Penalties may include prison time, probation, fines, and restitution. In this case, the defendant received six to 23 months in prison and seven years of probation, along with a permanent ban on using anyone else’s identity.
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