Bangor, Maine – A Presque Isle man has pleaded guilty to counterfeiting charges, according to the office of United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank. Derek Mendoza, 24, faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each of the two counts. The charges stem from two incidents in December 2018.
On December 4, 2018, Mendoza and his girlfriend attempted to purchase a futon from a seller on Facebook Messenger. The seller agreed to sell the futon for $75, but Mendoza paid with a $100 bill that was later confirmed to be counterfeit.
Just six days later, Mendoza attempted to pay for merchandise at the Cigaret Shopper in Presque Isle with four $50 bills. The cashier checked the bills with a marker and determined them to be counterfeit. Despite being informed that the store would not accept the bills, Mendoza walked out of the store with them.
The entire transaction was captured on store video. The case was investigated by the Presque Isle Police Department and the United States Secret Service.
Mendoza will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank.
The Presque Isle Police Department and the United States Secret Service conducted the investigation into the counterfeiting charges. The Secret Service has a long history of combating counterfeiting and other financial crimes.
The Secret Service’s efforts to combat counterfeiting have led to numerous arrests and convictions over the years. This case is just the latest example of the agency’s commitment to protecting the financial system from counterfeiters like Mendoza.
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Key Facts
- State: Maine
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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