Editor's note appended
A University junior was arrested last week on charges of theft by deception and receiving stolen property, according to Borough Police Capt. Charles Davall.
Police said Cheoma Julien '02 allegedly received computer equipment which police believe was purchased with a stolen credit card and then allegedly shipped the items out of the country from her Dodge-Osborn Hall room.
In an interview Monday, Julien said she believed she was working for a legitimate Internet company.
"I have been caught in a scam," she said. "I thought I was working for a legitimate business."
The theft by deception and receiving stolen property charge is a third degree offense — which Davall said could result in a maximum punishment of six months jail time or a fine. However, Julien's belief that she was working for a legitimate company could be a mitigating factor in the case, according to Davall.
The investigation began Jan. 23 when Public Safety Inspector Duncan Harrison was told by a representative from the Egghead.com fraud department that merchandise charged to a stolen credit card was delivered to a University dorm room, Davall said.
Harrison notified Borough Police, which then searched Julien's dorm room with the assistance of Public Safety, according to police. The police recovered about 10 pieces of computer equipment — including memory modules and processors, Davall said.
The company that Julien allegedly believed was employing her — which Davall would not name — would ship Julien stolen merchandise through the United Parcel Service in boxes addressed to other people, Davall said. Julien then allegedly would ship those boxes out of the country, according to Davall.
According to the Borough Police report, Julien had been allegedly receiving merchandise for about two weeks. She had allegedly sent one package to an address in Romania. The value of the merchandise found in her room has not yet been determined, but is over $500, Davall said.
Julien was taken to police headquarters and later released on her own recognizance with a complaint summons, Davall said.
Julien is scheduled to appear in Borough court on Feb. 12.
Editor's note
Charges against Julien were dropped after she pleaded not guilty at her arraignment.
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