Pittsburgh Counterfeiter Jones Gets a Year

PITTSBURGH, PA – Shawn V. Jones, 43, of Pittsburgh, is heading to federal prison after admitting to flooding a local pub with fake twenties and tens. Jones was sentenced to one year and a day of incarceration after pleading guilty to manufacturing and distributing counterfeit U.S. currency, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The scheme, hatched between December 9th and 12th, 2011, involved the creation of $1,000 in photocopied counterfeit Federal Reserve notes. Jones didn’t bother with sophisticated forgery – just straight-up copies. He then attempted to pass the fakes, and was caught red-handed on December 13th, 2011, at a local establishment, the details of which remain undisclosed.

United States District Judge Mark Hornak handed down the sentence, demonstrating a clear message that counterfeiting – even on a relatively small scale – won’t be tolerated. While a year and a day may seem light to some, it’s a federal conviction that will follow Jones long after his release. The U.S. Secret Service, the agency tasked with investigating counterfeiting, built the case against Jones, meticulously tracking the fake bills and ultimately leading to his arrest.

Assistant United States Attorney Paul E. Hull led the prosecution, presenting the evidence gathered by the Secret Service to the court. Hull argued that Jones’ actions undermined the integrity of the U.S. financial system, even with the limited amount of counterfeit money involved. The fact that Jones *made* the bills, not just passed them, was a significant factor in the sentencing.

This case highlights the ongoing threat of counterfeiting, even in the digital age. While sophisticated forgery techniques exist, simple methods like photocopying can still be used to create passable fakes, particularly in low-light or fast-paced environments. Businesses are reminded to remain vigilant and train employees to identify counterfeit currency.

Jones’ conviction serves as a warning: messing with U.S. currency carries serious consequences. The Secret Service continues to aggressively investigate all forms of counterfeiting, working to protect the nation’s financial infrastructure. Details regarding Jones’ specific prison designation were not immediately available, but he will be remanded to the Bureau of Prisons to begin serving his sentence.