JACKSONVILLE, FL – James Edward Langford, IV, 30, of Jacksonville, is facing a potential four-decade stretch in federal prison after pleading guilty to manufacturing and possessing counterfeit Federal Reserve notes. The bust, a joint effort between the U.S. Secret Service and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, reveals a surprisingly brazen operation run out of a local hotel.
According to court documents, the feds got a tip in late July 2017 that Langford was cranking out fake cash at a Jacksonville hotel. Agents began surveillance on July 25th, watching as Langford and two associates left the room. The trio promptly ditched full trash bags near the hotel’s disposal area. Inside, investigators discovered multiple uncut sheets of paper bearing printed images of counterfeit $20 bills – a clear indication of large-scale production.
The surveillance didn’t stop there. Later that same day, agents watched Langford leave the hotel, then proceed to drive like a maniac. Reports detail erratic behavior including cutting across three lanes of traffic, speeding, and a dangerous U-turn. A traffic stop was initiated, and a search of Langford yielded multiple counterfeit $20 Federal Reserve notes directly from his wallet. This wasn’t just possession; it was active circulation.
A subsequent search of Langford’s hotel room uncovered a counterfeiting workshop. Agents seized numerous additional counterfeit notes, the computer equipment used in their manufacture, and, disturbingly, chemicals commonly used to strip ink from real bills – suggesting a sophisticated attempt to recycle currency and maximize profit. It paints a picture of someone not just making fakes, but trying to cover his tracks.
Acting United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow announced that Langford now faces a maximum penalty of 40 years behind bars. The government will also seek forfeiture of the computer media used in the operation and restitution to any victims who may have been defrauded with Langford’s fake bills. The investigation highlights the Secret Service’s ongoing commitment to combating financial crimes, even on a local level.
Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein is prosecuting the case. While the details of any victims remain sealed, this case serves as a stark reminder that counterfeiting is a serious federal offense. The U.S. Secret Service – Jacksonville Field Office continues to investigate potential co-conspirators, and further charges are not out of the question.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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