Brittany Ann Jackson, Counterfeit and Money Laundering, Mississippi 2014

Gulfport, Miss. – In a shocking turn of events, two Mississippi residents have pleaded guilty to charges related to counterfeiting and money laundering conspiracies.

Brittany Ann Jackson, 26, of Biloxi, and Dontrelle Deshaun Sanford, 24, of Hattiesburg, were arraigned on Tuesday, August 19, 2014, in connection with an indictment filed against them earlier this year.

The indictment alleged that Jackson and Sanford conspired to pass counterfeit U.S. currency and launder money through various transactions. Specifically, they would purchase items such as Dyson vacuum cleaners with counterfeit money at Lowe’s stores in Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. The defendants would then return the items to the stores and receive genuine money for the refunds.

Jackson pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to pass counterfeit U.S. currency, while Sanford pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Their sentencings are scheduled for November 20, 2014, before United States District Judge Sul Ozerden. Jackson faces a maximum penalty of 5 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. Sanford faces a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment and a $500,000 fine.

IRS-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge, Gabriel L. Grchan, stated, ‘Simply put, counterfeiting currency is a violation of the law; it also causes damage to the local economy and hurts the pocket books of all taxpayers by increasing the cost of goods and services.'

The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and IRS-Criminal Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ruth Morgan.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdms/pr/two-plead-guilty-connection-counterfeit-and-money-laundering-conspiracies