A man awaiting sentencing for defrauding three clients out of more than $1 million is in police custody for allegedly trying to obtain a fake passport in the name of a dead baby.

Joseph William Sullivan, 73, appeared in U.S. District Court on Wednesday after being arrested Tuesday at the U.S. Passport Office in the Prince Kuhio Federal Building after claiming he was Donald Elbert Allen.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Les Osborne Jr. said there is a concern of Sullivan fleeing. Defense attorney Thomas Otake made no comment regarding this recent arrest of his client.

In April, Sullivan pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud, each count carrying a statutory maximum of 20 years in prison. Sullivan was out on bail awaiting his sentencing, scheduled for Sept. 15.

He was living at a senior living center off Halekauwila Street.

"All I can say is that Mr. Sullivan is 73 years old and he has a clean record," said Otake, who will continue as Sullivan’s attorney for both cases.

Allen and Sullivan were both born in Massachusetts in the 1930s, but Allen died as an infant. During the FBI’s investigation of Sullivan’s investment fraud, it found that Sullivan obtained the birth certificate of Allen and began using the alias to issue fake investment certificates.

From 2003 to 2006, Sullivan took more than $1 million from his three victims.

On April 12, Sullivan submitted a U.S. passport application allegedly using the identity of Allen at the main downtown post office. According to the criminal complaint, Sullivan provided a birth certificate and state identification card in Allen’s name. Eight days later, an employee of the Honolulu Passport Agency reviewed Sullivan’s application and discovered a few discrepancies.

It was determined on May 12 that the photograph associated with Allen’s application was Sullivan. When Sullivan arrived to pick up his passport, continuing his claims to be Allen in the interview room, the FBI agent for Sullivan’s case entered the room and led Sullivan to admit his true identity.

In the criminal complaint, Sullivan stated that the purpose of the passport was not for travel, but as a source of emotional comfort.

Passport fraud carries a statutory maximum of 10 years in prison.

Sullivan’s detention hearing is scheduled for Monday, and his preliminary hearing will follow on June 15.