Story
22-year-old accused of posing as high school star bonds out of jail in Texas
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
by
Sun Sentinel
Guerdwich Montimere from his 2007 Dillard yearbook (left) and Jerry Joseph from Odessa, Texas (Sun Sentinel, Odessa American photos)
Guerdwich Montimere, a 2007 Dillard High School graduate who posed as a Texas high school player, bonded out of the Ector County Detention Center early Wednesday morning by posting $500 bond.
A spokesperson from Will's Bonding in Odessa, Texas, confirmed that Montimere bonded out through their agency.
The spokesperson would not elaborate on whether Montimere or another person provided the bail money. The spokesperson confirmed that Montimere was to remain in Odessa pending a hearing.
Montimere was arrested Tuesday in Odessa after officials determined the 22-year-old was posing as high school sophomore Jerry Joseph.
Montimere confessed the deception to authorities while being questioned Tuesday, according to a statement released by Ector County Independent School District.
Tuesday night, Montimere was in a holding cell at the Ector County Detention Center on charges of presenting false identification to a peace officer.
Two weeks ago, school officials along with the Sun Sentinel and the Odessa American newspaper in Texas received anonymous tips that Joseph, a standout basketball player at Permian High, was really Montimere.
But after a preliminary investigation, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials told Permian Principal Roy Garcia that Montimere and Joseph were not the same person.
At the time, ICE also said Joseph had illegally entered the country as an unaccompanied minor from Haiti. Montimere was confirmed as a naturalized citizen.
Montimere, who was living with Permian basketball coach Danny Wright, was released back to the Wright family and remained in school until his arrest.
Meanwhile, the investigation into his identity continued.
"We were just looking at it like everyone else," Garcia said. "There were too many similarities and we wanted to make sure from our standpoint. The good thing is that our district police got information, got the fingerprint to do a match with and it hit on enough points to say it was him."
Last week, the Sun Sentinel informed ICE that Montimere had a fraternal twin, Guerdwin Montimere, who has been serving time in Broward County on charges of burglary and criminal mischief.
Tuesday, the agency released a statement confirming that Guerdwich Montimere's fingerprints matched those on an application for immigration benefits submitted by Montimere.
The date on which that application was submitted was not immediately available.
Wright, who took Montimere into his home while believing he was a 16-year-old orphan from Haiti, said both he and the rest of the Permian basketball team were "shocked" by Montimere's actions.
"I guess he fooled all of us," Wright said. "Hurt is the best way to describe how I feel. I gave him all the opportunities in the world to come clean. I don't know why he did this."
Even Louis Vives and Cedric Smith, the AAU coaches who first spotted and confronted Montimere at an AAU basketball tournament in Arkansas last month, were disappointed.
Montimere played for their AAU program while living in South Florida.
"I was hoping I was wrong because he was one of our kids," Vives said. "He grew up in our system. He played with us and you don't want any of your kids to go in the wrong direction in any way. But what's right is right. He can't go around impersonating a 16-year-old kid. He can't go living his youth all over again."
Added Smith: "I knew it was a matter of time. The truth was going to come out. I'm just glad it's over."
Despite the findings, one person — Jabari Caldwell — continues to deny that he knew Joseph was Montimere.
According to an earlier report by the Odessa American, Caldwell, a former basketball player at Dillard, told school officials that Joseph was his half-brother to help him enroll in school.
The statement released by the Ector County School District said Joseph claimed to be living with his half-brother at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin before moving in with Wright.
Caldwell, who remained in contact with Montimere after graduation and was even in a car accident with him in May of 2007, played at UTPB.
"I had no idea," Caldwell said. "It's completely catching me off guard. I had no part of the plan. It's a shock to me."
When asked if his strong relationship with Montimere would raise suspicions of his claim, Caldwell again maintained that he was unaware of the deception.
"I'm pretty sure [Montimere] is going to say that I had no idea," Caldwell said. "I swear because I didn't know."
Garcia said the investigation at Permian will continue.
One of the next steps?
Figuring out whether the 22-year-old dated any of his high school classmates.
Both Garcia and Wright said they did not believe Montimere had a girlfriend while posing as a sophomore, but they aren't taking anything for granted.
"We are doing some checking on that to make sure," Garcia said. "I don't remember him having a girlfriend, but that doesn't mean a lot. We're going to check and verify for sure.
"You hate to think someone fooled you like that. We believed we were doing the right thing when he was 16. We believed we were doing the right things for one of our students. Now that we know he's a man, we're going to treat him like a man."
User Comments:
Roy commented on May 12, 2010 at 5:46 a.m.: report abuse
Before you throw stones at schools, and programs there are thousands of kids enrolled in schools under false documentation. Some play sports, some are here for other reasons. The schools can only go by the documentation provided. The schools do not finger print, nor is there a national data base for this. There were counless kids enrolled in a certain Miami school that produced numerous state championships in basketball. A young man came from south America, played, and went on to a Fl. college where he ended his career. He was 20 when he entered the country. The coaches involved did not know. In Broward county there are lots of kids who are illegal playing soccer. Some of those kids have false documents. Can you imagine trying to confirm identification from foreign schools. I know as I translated documents, and taught ESOL. I was also a coach. The baseball programs in south fl. are loaded with these kids. There is literally no way to find out. In the case of the young man in Texas no one would have known if not for luck. I guarantee you he would be playing college ball.
Gustavo commented on May 12, 2010 at 7 a.m.: report abuse
To understand the magnitude of this problem thousands of kids cross the border from Mexico each morning to board a bus to go to schools in Texas. The school system is mandated to educate them. Some of these kids play sports. If this problem is to be eradicated the USA must enact a law prohibiting illegals from attending schools. Working in the school system in South Florida we deal with these kids every day. I have coached kids whose age is questionable, but they provide the documents to show validity. There will be more scandals. Do not critisize the schools, or coaches.
Jeb commented on May 12, 2010 at 10:08 a.m.: report abuse
very sad for the school that is getting ready to be punished...
Whose Laughing Now commented on May 12, 2010 at 10:09 a.m.: report abuse
So when everyone laughed at my Lebron James Theory a while back... Well, let's just say it doesn't seem so ridiculous now!
Tony Hendrix commented on May 12, 2010 at 10:56 a.m.: report abuse
This isn't the first time...
http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2001/jul/27/stolen_identity_scheme/?more_like_this
gustavo commented on May 12, 2010 at 11:37 a.m.: report abuse
If the can of worms is opened it could have national implications.In the case of Lebron James he was born in the USA. This is not to say that this could not happen. This is a great investigative story. It will happen again.
jakey blunt commented on May 12, 2010 at 11:50 a.m.: report abuse
what a bumb
Riviera Beach commented on May 12, 2010 at 12:02 p.m.: report abuse
Look at the pic. Does he look anything like a 16 year old. I doubt he is the one who came up with this idea. I hope that he didn't mess with any little girls. Anyway this has happened for years. Back in the day Miami Westminister was number 1 in the nation for baseball every year. Produced many pros including Alex Rodriguez. In 1998 they were found guilty of having three foriegn players over the age of 19-9 months. Their passports had been doctored. The program has since fallen off. The man coaching this basketball player and letting him live at his house is responsible.
Rhonda McLendon commented on May 12, 2010 at 12:12 p.m.: report abuse
So where is the real Jerry Joseph?
ruth commented on May 12, 2010 at 12:58 p.m.: report abuse
if it weren't for the ears i'd never know it was the same person.
innerjuju commented on May 12, 2010 at 1:16 p.m.: report abuse
With our world in the shape its in, to spend vital resources "Figuring out whether the 22-year-old dated any of his high school classmates" is ridiculous.
fijuji commented on May 12, 2010 at 1:57 p.m.: report abuse
innerjuju, when a 22 year old dates a 16 year old, what would you do if you were the parent of the 16 year old?
EHarris commented on May 12, 2010 at 3:25 p.m.: report abuse
To fijuji - So what if he dated a 16 yr. old...that isn't that much older, and plenty of 16 yr. old girls are not all innocence and light. Especially in this day and age. Throughout jr and sr. high school, I almost exlusively dated older guys. It happens all of the time. And at 17, my boyfriend was 34. I knew exactly what I was doing, I wasn't "young and impressionable".
I agree...wasting resources to discover whether or not he dated any "classmates" is ridiculous. But, definitely he should not have been posing as a 16 yr. old student and there should be consequences for that.
Deej commented on May 12, 2010 at 3:26 p.m.: report abuse
I must have missed it in the story... will someone clear this up for me... where was the real Jerry Joseph when he was NOT in class, etc. He had to be missing-in-action in order to be "replaced."
Elyse commented on May 12, 2010 at 4:55 p.m.: report abuse
Where is the real Jerry Joseph, that is the real question???
Balla commented on May 12, 2010 at 7:35 p.m.: report abuse
@EHarris that has to be the most creepiest statement ive ever heard. and that 34 yr old u dated wen u were 17 is a creep and their must be something wrong with him.
Balla commented on May 12, 2010 at 7:35 p.m.: report abuse
@EHarris that has to be the most creepiest statement ive ever heard. and that 34 yr old u dated wen u were 17 is a creep and their must be something wrong with him.
Arizonan commented on May 12, 2010 at 7:43 p.m.: report abuse
Whose Laughing Now commented on May 12, 2010 at 10:09 a.m.:
flag
So when everyone laughed at my Lebron James Theory a while back... Well, let's just say it doesn't seem so ridiculous now!
You took the words right outa my mouth.
former PK player commented on May 12, 2010 at 8:10 p.m.: report abuse
I'm trying too figure out why someone would such a thing anyway! Even if someone puts you up to this, we have a choice between right and wrong.
Monique. commented on May 13, 2010 at 12:40 a.m.: report abuse
I went to school with jerry(Montimere) and people need to stop already, a lot of people were affected by this and it doesnt help. He wanted to make a better life for himself but lying wasnt the right way to do it. He seems like hes a stranger now, like everything was a lie, its crazy thinking you went to a school with a 22 year old man, but hes in my prayers and its up to god now.
pba commented on May 13, 2010 at 12:45 a.m.: report abuse
I would try this too, but I know Id get cut
citizen commented on May 13, 2010 at 9:21 a.m.: report abuse
Typical lack of ethics on behalf of all illegal and some legal immigrants.
CLOSE the Borders and ENFORCE the current laws.
duran commented on May 13, 2010 at 11:43 a.m.: report abuse
citizen, are you a American Indian? Where do your ancestors come from? I served in the military, and was in 3 wars. I was not born here. I went to college(GI Bill), and was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity. I would have liked to stay in the military, but I lost a arm fighting for the USA. Both of my parents washed dishes, did other peoples laundry, and raised 4 children. We are all college grads, and are working. Unfortunately our younger sister lost her life (nurse) in a duty post in Afghanistan. We did buy our parents a nice home. We are all citizens now. Our children are natural born citizens. I would like to get those who are born here off of the welfare roll. Now what about your contribution to OUR COUNTRY?
Jean commented on May 13, 2010 at 6:16 p.m.: report abuse
Citizen: I am from Haiti. I also served my new country. I spent 4 years in the military (Marines), and have finished college (FAU) with a 3.8 gpa. I am now in nursing school. I work, go to school, and pay taxes. My first job was as a busboy. Foreigners do jobs that native born citizens will not do. I lived in a housing project, worked, and went to school. Both of my parents worked in restaurants. We attended church every Sun. I would like to know where your ancestors came from?
Mojo commented on May 20, 2010 at 3:28 a.m.: report abuse
@RhondaMclendon - How dare you point your finger and say that the coach was responsible. If you did not read or see it correctly Jerry pretty much fooled everybody so how was he to know? I have known Coach Wright since i was a child and he is a good person who goes out of his way to help people. But he has nothing to prove to you or anyone else. As far as Jerry wow im from Odessa and i did not personally know him but i have been around him and he portrayed himself as a 16 year old boy really well. he was not a bad person and i never heard anything bad about him until now. I cant believe it I know he could had went a different way because posing as a child was not smart at all. Sadly he made some poor decisions and now he has to face the consequences . But come on people stop pointing fingers and judging we cannot play God.
Generic Cialis commented on August 19, 2010 at 9:40 a.m.: report abuse
There can be you and are right.
Bristol Airport Hotels commented on April 19, 2012 at 10:57 a.m.: report abuse
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