Ukrainian, 23, who faked age for high school pleads guilty

HARRISBURG -- A 23-year-old Ukrainian man accused of faking his name and age while attending a Pennsylvania high school and having sex with an underage girl has pleaded guilty.

Artur Samarin entered the plea Monday in Harrisburg to a number of fraud and sex charges.

A prosecutor says those charges carry penalties of up to 40 years in prison, plus $90,000 in fines. It will be up to a judge to choose his punishment.

Samarin also faces federal fraud charges and could be deported.

While attending John Harris High School, Samarin called himself Asher Potts. He impressed teachers and community leaders before authorities concluded he was considerably older and overstayed a visa. Authorities say Samarin told a detective in February he had sex with the girl in 2014, when he was 22.