An American couple suspected of having “disturbing foreign connections” have been arrested for stealing the identities of dead babies, with police discovering photos of them in KGB uniforms, along with military cards and encrypted documents in their home.
Walter Primrose and his wife Gwynn Morrison, born in 1955, were arrested Thursday after officers discovered they had assumed the identities of Bobby Fort and Julie Montague in 1987.
But both Bobby and Julie had died as babies decades ago and were buried in nearby cemeteries.
The couple are charged with conspiracy to commit a crime against the US, false statements in a passport application and aggravated identity theft. They face up to 17 years in prison if convicted on all charges.
Their past is shrouded in mystery — and while the charges make no espionage charges, prosecutors have suggested they may have ties to foreign countries.
“We think the defendant is clearly very adept at impersonating other people, obtaining government ID documents, fraud and avoiding detection,” said Wayne Myers, an assistant US attorney.
“Maybe—we can’t say for sure—but he may have some disturbing foreign connections. And if he does, he may be able to use it to call for help.’
Mr Primrose had long had an interest in espionage, Mr Myers added, having previously worked as a contractor for the Department of Defense.