JACKSONVILLE, FL – Darius Jondi Edwards, 42, of Tampa, is heading back to federal prison after being sentenced to four years and three months for manufacturing counterfeit U.S. currency – a crime he committed while still under court supervision for a previous counterfeiting conviction. U.S. District Judge Brian J. Davis delivered the sentence, sending Edwards back to the system he couldn’t stay away from.
Edwards pleaded guilty on January 25, 2021, readily admitting he’d violated the terms of his supervised release by diving back into the world of fake bills. This isn’t his first rodeo. Back in 2015, Edwards copped a plea in Jacksonville federal court for manufacturing and passing counterfeit Federal Reserve notes throughout the area. That landed him a 33-month sentence, followed by three years of supervised release – a clear warning he ignored.
The latest trouble began in October 2019, shortly after Edwards was released from his prior stint in prison. The Pinellas Park Police Department arrested him again, this time for possession of counterfeit currency and forging/making counterfeit bank bills. A search of his hotel room revealed more than just fake cash; officers also found partially completed counterfeit notes and the computer media used to create them.
A follow-up investigation led by the U.S. Secret Service Jacksonville Field Office quickly connected the dots. Edwards had purchased the computer media in Duval County and transported it to Pinellas County, effectively setting up a counterfeit operation. It was a calculated move by a man seemingly determined to return to prison. The Secret Service uncovered the full scope of Edwards’ operation, linking him directly to the manufacturing of the fake bills.
Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein prosecuted the case, building a solid case against Edwards based on the evidence gathered by both the Pinellas Park Police Department and the Secret Service. The combined effort of these agencies brought Edwards back before Judge Davis, ensuring he’ll spend more time behind bars. This case demonstrates that even after a first conviction, repeat offenders will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Edwards’ history paints a picture of a persistent criminal who disregarded the law and the terms of his release. The four-year and three-month sentence serves as a harsh reminder that counterfeiting is a serious federal crime, and those who engage in it – especially repeat offenders – will face significant consequences. The U.S. Secret Service continues to work diligently to protect the integrity of the nation’s currency.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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