Oyewole also has been placed under a federal immigration detainer, essentially a notification that he has been identified for deportation. He spoke once during Tuesday's hearing, to answer a question from the judge on his place of residence.

Oyewole is charged with using the identity of Jerry Thomas, a petty criminal who was shot outside a Queens, N.Y., YMCA in July 1992. Thomas' murder remains unsolved, but police in New York said Tuesday there is no evidence tying Oyewole to Thomas' shooting.

However, two law enforcement officials with knowledge of the investigation said Oyewole began using Thomas' birth certificate and Social Security number three weeks before Thomas' murder. The officials requested anonymity because they weren't authorized to discuss details of the case publicly.

In another curious detail, Thomas is buried in Elizabeth in a cemetery Oyewole would likely have to pass on his way to work, the officials said.