by Canton, NY – In a shocking revelation, Anthony Michael Lennon, a fugitive on the run for over a decade, was living as a promising engineering student under the alias Justin Phillips in New York. Authorities arrested Lennon, who had been wanted for a bloody abduction scene dating back to 2012 and child pornography charges, bringing to light a complex case of identity deception and evasion.
Lennon, 44, enrolled in the School of Engineering Technology at the State University of New York’s Canton campus in fall 2024, quietly pursuing a transfer to prestigious institutions including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), all while concealing his true identity from faculty and peers.
The Unseen Fugitive: A Life Under False Identity
Rashid Aidun, Lennon’s academic advisor and associate professor, recounted the normalcy of the student’s presence:
“It’s an unbelievable situation. Everyone is in shock,” Aidun said. “He was a very good student, earning all A’s, and had aspirations to continue his studies at Clarkson or MIT.”
Lennon never disclosed his past, and professors never questioned him about it, focusing solely on his academic progress.
- Lennon was arrested on October 30 at a grocery store in Canton using a state-issued ID in his alias name.
- He was added to Oklahoma’s “Ten Most Wanted List” in July following his evasion from child pornography charges.
- Despite efforts, authorities had difficulty tracking him down, receiving false leads in states like Nevada and Tennessee.
- He possessed a master’s degree in computer science and was reportedly working toward a doctorate, though his educational background remained ambiguous.
Authorities’ Perspective and Ongoing Investigations
Johnny L. Kuhlman, U.S. Marshal for the Western District of Oklahoma, confirmed Lennon’s capture and identification through fingerprint analysis. Lennon is currently in custody in Syracuse with a hearing scheduled for November 19 to prove his identity.
“We’d love to eventually talk to him and get those answers. But of course, that’s up to him — whether or not he ever chooses to disclose that,” Kuhlman remarked.
New York State Police are investigating how Lennon was able to obtain a state-issued identification card under his false identity. The university suspended Lennon on October 31 and barred him from campus.
Community and Campus Reaction to the Arrest
The discovery stunned the academic community at SUNY Canton, where Lennon was seen as a model student who actively helped his peers.
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“For the first couple of minutes I didn’t know how to react. It was shocking,” Aidun recalled when he learned of the arrest from other students.
None of the school’s records reflected Lennon’s real identity; he was only known to the university as Justin Phillips.
Background and Further Details
Lennon was accused of orchestrating a bloody abduction at a hotel in Oklahoma in 2012 after pleading guilty to prior child pornography charges prompted by a friend’s tip about illicit materials found on his computer.
He lived off-campus in New York and maintained an appearance of academic dedication while evading law enforcement for years.
For more detailed background information, see the original report at NBC News.
Looking Ahead
With Lennon awaiting legal proceedings, many unanswered questions remain about his activities during his years on the run and how he successfully led a double life within an academic environment.
Key takeaways include:
- The complexities of identity verification in education systems.
- The challenges law enforcement faces in tracking fugitives who assume new identities.
- The importance of vigilance and comprehensive background checks in sensitive sectors.
What do you think about this extraordinary case of a fugitive living undercover as a student? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
