Eugene David Downey, Counterfeiting, Alaska 2014

Counterfeiter Sentenced in Anchorage

Anchorage man Eugene David Downey has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for passing counterfeit money at local stores across Anchorage.

According to Acting U.S. Attorney Kevin R. Feldis, Downey was convicted on state charges of passing counterfeit money in May 2013, but continued to manufacture and pass counterfeit bills, approximately 200 transactions, until his arrest in April 2014.

Downey passed counterfeit money at local businesses including Sports Authority, Kohl's AMH, and REI, among others. He would pass the counterfeit bills and then return the items to receive genuine currency.

Downey's scheme was finally brought to an end when an APD officer responded to a 911 call by an employee of REI, who recognized Downey from prior attempts to pass counterfeit money.

Downey resisted arrest and assaulted the officer as he tried to escape. Backup officers arrived on scene and Downey continued to resist arrest until he was placed in a patrol vehicle.

At the time of his arrest, Downey had a wallet full of counterfeit bills.

Judge Sharon L. Gleason noted the detrimental impact to local businesses from Downey's manufacturing and passing of counterfeit money, as well as the assault on the officer, as reasons for imposing the 30-month sentence.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Aunnie Steward highlighted that 'counterfeiting is a persistent problem throughout this country and throughout the world. We are not immune to that problem in Alaska, and small amounts of counterfeit bills are routinely found here.'

Eugene David Downey, Counterfeiting, Alaska 2014

Defendant: Eugene David Downey

Criminal Charges: 4 counts of passing counterfeit money

City and State: Anchorage, Alaska

Arrest Date: April 2014

Sentence: 30 months in prison

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ak/pr/anchorage-counterfeiter-sentenced-30-months-jail