SCRANTON, PA – A pair of New Yorkers are facing serious federal charges after a multi-state investigation uncovered a scheme to distribute roughly $14,000 in fake twenty-dollar bills. Courtney Murray, 22, of Slingerlands, New York, and Rashaun Ferguson, 26, of Flushing, New York, were indicted by a federal grand jury last week, and the charges were unsealed following their arrests.
According to U.S. Attorney David J. Freed, the indictment alleges that Murray and Ferguson conspired to pass the counterfeit currency between September 2019 and April 2020. The operation wasn’t limited to Pennsylvania; investigators traced the fake bills to Luzerne and York Counties, as well as locations in New Jersey, New York, and Maryland. The Secret Service, along with various state and local police departments, spent months tracking the flow of the fraudulent cash.
The duo is accused of knowingly attempting to use the counterfeit Federal Reserve Notes in everyday transactions, effectively defrauding businesses and individuals. While the total amount – $14,000 – might not seem astronomical in the grand scheme of federal crimes, the deliberate and widespread nature of the scheme is what caught the attention of authorities. Each attempted use of the fake bills represents a separate count, increasing the potential penalties.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo is leading the prosecution. It’s important to remember that an indictment is simply an accusation, and both Murray and Ferguson are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. However, if convicted on the most serious charges, they could face up to 20 years behind bars, followed by a term of supervised release and a hefty fine.
Federal sentencing isn’t a simple equation. A judge will consider a wide range of factors beyond the crime itself, including the defendants’ criminal history, personal characteristics, and the need for both punishment and potential rehabilitation. The statutory maximum is a ceiling, not a guarantee, and the actual sentence could vary significantly. The investigation highlights the Secret Service’s ongoing commitment to combating financial crimes, even those seemingly ‘small-scale’.
The case serves as a stark reminder that counterfeiting isn’t a victimless crime. Businesses absorb the losses from fake bills, and the circulation of counterfeit money undermines the integrity of the U.S. financial system. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania will continue to aggressively pursue those who attempt to profit from such schemes. Updates will be provided as the case progresses through the legal system.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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