SIMPSONVILLE, SC – Jessica A. Dishinger, 22, of Simpsonville, South Carolina, has confessed to a brazen scheme to pass counterfeit U.S. currency throughout the upstate region, federal prosecutors revealed today. Dishinger pleaded guilty in Anderson federal court to violating Title 18, United States Code, Section 472 – the law against distributing bogus bills.
The operation, spanning 2016 and 2017, saw Dishinger systematically targeting vulnerable businesses: grocery stores and department stores, according to evidence presented at the plea hearing. She wasn’t looking for a quick buck for necessities; Dishinger allegedly used the fake money to acquire gift cards and other retail items, effectively laundering the counterfeit cash into usable goods.
U.S. Attorney Beth Drake stated that Dishinger now faces a potentially steep penalty. She could receive a fine of up to $250,000, and/or a prison sentence of up to 20 years. A $100 special assessment will also be levied if convicted. The final sentence will be determined by United States District Judge J. Michelle Childs, of Columbia, after review of a pre-sentence report compiled by the U.S. Probation Office.
The investigation wasn’t a solo effort by the Secret Service. Agents worked alongside a multi-agency task force, including the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, the Greenville City Police Department, the Greer Police Department, the Simpsonville Police Department, and the Easley Police Department. The coordinated response demonstrates the widespread impact of Dishinger’s actions and the commitment to tackling counterfeiting in the region.
Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins, based in Greenville, led the prosecution of the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has been increasingly focused on financial crimes in recent years, recognizing the damage that counterfeiting and other forms of fraud inflict on local businesses and the broader economy.
Dishinger’s guilty plea marks a significant step in the case, but the full consequences of her actions remain to be seen. Judge Childs’ sentencing decision will send a message about the seriousness of counterfeiting and the lengths to which authorities will go to protect the integrity of U.S. currency. The Department of Justice District of South Carolina expects to announce the sentencing date in the coming weeks.
Related Federal Cases
- Shadrick Jarmarcus Jett, Counterfeit Currency Production, SC 2023 · North Carolina
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- Tasha Ajibogun, Counterfeit $50 Note Passing, SC 2024 · Georgia
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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