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Sibling Duo Part of Wisconsin Counterfeit Ring
MADISON, WI – A brother and sister from Madison, Wisconsin, are facing federal prison time for their roles in a scheme to flood southern Wisconsin with counterfeit $100 bills. Danesha Phillips, 23, and Marlo Phillips, 19, were sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William Conley, bringing a close to a case that saw the pair and their accomplices target businesses across several cities.
The Phillips siblings, along with three others, spent January and February of 2016 traveling from Baraboo to Janesville, systematically passing fake bills at restaurants and various merchants. Their method was simple: make small purchases and pocket the large amount of legitimate change received in return. The operation was ultimately cut short on February 23, 2016, when Janesville police officers responded to reports of the suspicious currency and apprehended the group mid-shopping spree.
Danesha Phillips, who pleaded guilty on December 20, 2016, received a 42-day prison sentence, with credit given for time already served. Her brother, Marlo Phillips, who pleaded guilty on December 9, 2016, received the harsher sentence of one year in prison, also with credit for time served since his arrest in February 2016. Both will also be subject to two years of supervised release following their incarceration.
The court ordered both Danesha and Marlo Phillips to jointly and severally pay $7,500 in restitution to the merchants victimized by their scheme, alongside their co-defendants. This isn’t the only sentence handed down in the case; Cornelius Stewart, 22, of Madison, was sentenced to two years in prison in February for acting as the ringleader, providing the counterfeit currency to the group in exchange for a cut of the profits. Dominique Gaunichaux, 19, and Parish Barbary-Wheatherby, 21, both also of Madison, are still awaiting sentencing on April 6th and 28th, respectively.
Judge Conley acknowledged the youth of the defendants, particularly noting their post-arrest contrition and cooperation with investigators when issuing the sentences. However, the seriousness of the crime – deliberately flooding the economy with fake money – couldn’t be ignored. The investigation was a collaborative effort, involving the Madison, Baraboo, Stoughton, Verona, Oregon, Fitchburg, Lake Delton, and Janesville Police Departments, as well as the Sauk County and Rock County Sheriffs’ Offices, all working in coordination with the U.S. Secret Service.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Anderson handled the prosecution of the case. The Secret Service declined further comment. This case serves as a reminder that even seemingly small-scale counterfeiting operations can have significant financial repercussions for local businesses and the broader economy. The investigation underscores the importance of interagency cooperation in combating financial crimes.
Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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