Identity-Scam Couple Hopes For A Plea Deal

A couple accused of stealing their neighbors' identities to pay for their lavish lifestyle are hoping to negotiate a plea deal and turn their lives around, a defense attorney said Thursday.

College student Jocelyn Kirsch, 22, and boyfriend Edward Anderton, who turned 25 Wednesday, used the scam to steal an estimated $100,000 this year alone and pay for trips to Paris, London and Hawaii and other luxury perks, police said.

Ronald Greenblatt, Kirsch's attorney, said the two will likely enter plea negotiations together.

"From the information I have, they're both responsible for this," he said. "For either one to be pointing the finger at the other just belies the evidence in the case."

Anderton, originally from Everett, Wash., is a University of Pennsylvania graduate who was recently fired from a job as a financial analyst. Kirsch is a student at Drexel University.

Kirsch and Anderton were arrested Friday and charged with identity theft, forgery, unlawful use of a computer and related offenses. They posted bail, but turned themselves in Wednesday to face more charges, including theft and burglary.

The two were still in custody Thursday morning after being arraigned on the newest charges.

During a weekend search of the couple's $3,000-a-month apartment, police said they found $17,500 in cash, dozens of credit cards, fake driver's licenses, keys to unlock many of the apartments and mailboxes in their building, and an industrial machine that makes ID cards.

A preliminary hearing scheduled for Thursday morning was postponed.

Bail for Anderton and Kirsch was raised Thursday after prosecutors said the two were being kicked out of their apartment and had no current fixed address. Kirsch's bail was set at $105,000 and Anderton's at $130,000.

Greenblatt said Kirsch did well at Drexel and had a bright career ahead of her.

"It's terrible that someone with this kind of potential would engage in this kind of activity and throw away unbelievable career opportunities in life," he said. "I'm just hopeful that she'll get some kind of chance to redeem herself."