Counterfeit Currency Spree Exposed in Rapid City
Rapid City’s streets were flooded with fake Federal Reserve Notes in early March, but a trio of counterfeiters may soon find themselves behind bars. According to court documents, Gertrude Bearing, Craig Janis, and Tina Brewer have been indicted on charges of counterfeiting and forgery.
The indictment, handed down by a federal grand jury on March 18, accuses the three of passing $20 and $100 bills in Rapid City on March 1-2. The maximum penalty for conviction is a 20-year stint in the slammer and/or a $250,000 fine, along with three years of supervised release and a $100 contribution to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
The Rapid City Police Department and the U.S. Secret Service led the investigation, which is still ongoing. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Kelderman is prosecuting the case, and a trial date has been set for May 27, 2014. Bearing, Janis, and Brewer were remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial.
The charges are merely accusations, and all three defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. However, the evidence against them appears to be substantial, with the indictment detailing the counterfeit bills and the dates on which they were passed.
While the exact motives behind the counterfeiting operation remain unclear, one thing is certain: the defendants face a serious threat of prison time if convicted. As one local resident put it, ‘You don’t want to mess with the Secret Service.’ The U.S. Marshals Service is holding Bearing, Janis, and Brewer until the trial, which is set to begin in late May.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story. In the meantime, residents of Rapid City can rest a little easier knowing that the counterfeiters are behind bars awaiting trial. The people of this great city will not stand for such crimes, and justice will be served.
Related Federal Cases
- Rapid City Attorney Kenneth Orrock Pleads Guilty to Tax Fraud · South Dakota
- Rapid City Gunman Hit with Federal Firearm Charges · South Dakota
- Rapid City Drug Kingpin Jonah Burning Breast Indicted · South Dakota
- Rapid City Couple Hit with Meth Distribution Charges · Minnesota
- Rapid City Escapist Sentenced to Four Months · South Dakota
Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Counterfeiting
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News