BRADENTON, FL – Anthony Wayne Smith, 58, is staring down the barrel of a potential 20-year federal prison sentence after admitting to running a counterfeit currency operation out of his Bradenton home. The bust, a joint effort by the U.S. Secret Service and local law enforcement, highlights the enduring threat of fake money even in the digital age.
According to court documents, Smith manufactured U.S. Federal Reserve notes within his residence. Agents from the Secret Service Tampa Field Office, backed by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, executed a search warrant and uncovered a stash of counterfeit bills hidden throughout the property. They also seized texturized printing paper and the printers used to create the fake cash.
The investigation didn’t stop with the physical evidence. The Secret Service Tampa Cyber Fraud Task Force dug into Smith’s laptop, uncovering digital images of U.S. Federal Reserve notes that were demonstrably used in the production of the counterfeit currency. This digital footprint cemented the case against Smith, proving a deliberate and ongoing effort to flood the system with fake bills.
“This case is an excellent example of the great working relationships the Secret Service maintains with our State and local law enforcement agency partners,” stated U.S. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Robert Engel, of the Tampa Field Office. While Engel touted the partnership, the real story is a man attempting to undermine the nation’s financial system, and the agents who stopped him.
The Secret Service, originally established in 1865 to combat the rampant counterfeiting that plagued the post-Civil War United States, remains dedicated to its founding mission. Back then, nearly a third of all currency in circulation was fake, threatening the stability of the entire country. Today, the agency has expanded its focus to include cybercrime, but the fight against counterfeit currency remains a core function.
Anthony Wayne Smith is scheduled to be sentenced on April 6th. The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney David W.A. Chee is prosecuting the case. Smith’s attempt to print his way to riches has landed him in a world of hurt, and a lengthy prison term is almost certain.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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