NEW SCOTLAND — Jean M. Cesar, 41, a Haitian national who has the same first and last name as his deceased brother, was arrested last Thursday after a traffic stop on Route 443.

At about 1 a.m., sheriff’s sergeant Patrick Strollo stopped Cesar, according to a release from the Albany County Sheriff’s Office.  Cesar identified himself as Jean H. Cesar, 44, and provided police with a Pennsylvania driver’s license with that name, the release says; according to the Pennsylvania Department of Motor Vehicles, that person is deceased.

Police found that Cesar also had 17 rocks of crack cocaine, weighing more than two grams, and marijuana in two plastic bags, according to the release.  Cesar did not have scales or paraphernalia usually used in the sale of drugs, acting Sheriff Craig Apple said this week.  Cesar has been uncooperative, so police don’t yet know if he intended to sell the drugs, Apple said.

When Cesar was processed at the patrol station, his fingerprints were submitted electronically to the Department of Criminal Justice Services, which confirmed that he was wanted in Georgia for a parole violation on a drug-related felony, Apple said.

Cesar was charged with fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a felony; unlawful possession of marijuana, a violation; and Vehicle and Traffic Law violations.

“Further investigation into the incident after Cesar was admitted to the Correctional Facility revealed that he has assumed his deceased brothers identity. Cesar’s brother had died in August 2011 and they both shared the same first and last names, only their middle names differed which made the impersonation hard to detect,” the release says.

Cesar will also be charged with second-degree forgery, a felony, and second-degree criminal impersonation, a misdemeanor, in New Scotland’s town court on Dec. 30, when he is re-arraigned on the original drug charges under his real name.  “He also faces the same Forgery and Criminal Impersonation charges in the Town of Colonie for allegedly using a false name and identity when booked into the Correctional Facility,” the release says.  The Albany County jail is located in Colonie.

“Since Cesar is not a citizen of the United States, U.S. Customs and Immigration Officers have been notified and are investigating the matter,” according to the release.  He could face deportation.

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