Barbara Hendricks, Counterfeit Scheme, Toledo OH, 2023

TOLEDO, OH – A trio of out-of-state hustlers are facing federal charges after allegedly flooding Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan with fake $100 bills. The scheme, detailed in a recent indictment, involved purchasing goods with the counterfeit currency and then quickly flipping the items for legitimate cash through returns.

Barbara Hendricks, 20, of Wilmington, Delaware; Jaonta Scarlett, age 25, of Monticello, New York, and Harlin Mack, age 25, of Hempstead, New York, were all indicted on charges of conspiracy to pass counterfeit money totaling more than $10,000, according to Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio. The indictment alleges a coordinated effort to exploit retail return policies for quick profit.

The operation, reportedly carried out in 2013, targeted major department stores including WalMart, Meijer, Home Depot, and Toys R Us. Investigators say the group would make purchases with the bogus bills, then hit different locations of the same store to return the merchandise, pocketing genuine U.S. currency. It’s a classic hustle, but one that carries serious federal penalties.

“This wasn’t a one-off incident,” a source close to the investigation told Grimy Times. “They were systematic, moving from store to store, maximizing their returns. The Secret Service caught on after multiple reports of similar counterfeit bills surfacing in quick succession.” The United States Secret Service, Toledo, Ohio, spearheaded the investigation.

If convicted, the sentences for Hendricks, Scarlett, and Mack will be determined by the Court, taking into account their criminal history (if any), their specific role in the offense, and the details of the violation. However, prosecutors emphasized that any sentence handed down will adhere to statutory maximums, and will likely fall below those limits. The exact penalty remains to be seen.

Assistant United States Attorney Angelita Cruz Bridges is handling the case. It’s crucial to remember that an indictment is merely an accusation. Each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and bring you updates as they develop.

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