Dennis Tyler Gutierrez, Uttering Counterfeit Obligations of the United States, South Dakota 2013

Counterfeit Cash Scandal Rocks Timber Lake

A Timber Lake man has been charged with passing counterfeit $100 bills, leaving authorities to wonder how far the scam goes.

Dennis Tyler Gutierrez, 21, also known as Crow Shoe, was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 21, 2013, for Uttering Counterfeit Obligations of the United States. He allegedly passed a counterfeit $100 bill at the Timber Lake celebration on July 25, 2013.

Gutierrez faced U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on August 23, 2013, and pled not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 20 years in custody, a $250,000 fine, or both; at least 3 years up to life of supervised release; and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

The investigation is being conducted by the Secret Service and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mikal Hanson is prosecuting the case. Gutierrez was released on bond pending trial.

The charge relates to an incident on July 25, 2013, when the defendant allegedly passed a counterfeit $100 bill at the Timber Lake celebration. The charge is merely an accusation and Gutierrez is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

A trial date has not been set, but authorities are warning residents to be on the lookout for counterfeit bills. If you have any information, contact the authorities immediately.

Restitution may also be ordered in this case.

The people of Timber Lake are shaken by this scandal, and many are left wondering how this could happen in their quiet community.