LAFAYETTE, La. – The murky world of counterfeit currency saw four Louisiana men face justice this week, each receiving federal prison sentences for their roles in separate, but equally brazen, schemes to flood the local economy with fake cash. The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced the sentences handed down by United States District Judge David C. Joseph, signaling a crackdown on financial crimes in the region.
The first case centered around Joshua Michael Dore, 38, of Lafayette, Louisiana. A federal jury found Dore guilty on June 2, 2022, of defrauding the United States government by manufacturing counterfeit Federal Reserve Notes (FRNs). Law enforcement raided Dore’s apartment on Rue Du Jardin on September 18, 2020, uncovering $1, $10, $20, and $100 counterfeit bills, alongside the tools used to create them. Sheets of printed counterfeit currency were also discovered in the main residence of the property. Judge Joseph sentenced Dore to 36 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.
In an unrelated operation, three more men were brought to account. Creig Matthew Jacquneaux, 48, of Lafayette, received 16 months in prison and 2 years of supervised release. Jeffrey Wilson, 30, also of Lafayette, was sentenced to 21 months behind bars, followed by 2 years of supervised release. The pair were caught red-handed during a raid on a Breaux Bridge residence on December 6, 2021. Agents from the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Secret Service seized counterfeit $20, $50, and $100 FRNs, along with genuine bills, printers, and evidence of a ‘bleaching’ operation – soaking legitimate bills to remove the ink before reprinting them as counterfeits.
Jacquneaux and Wilson both admitted to actively participating in the counterfeiting scheme and passing the fake bills throughout the Breaux Bridge and Lafayette areas. But they weren’t alone. Beau Bertrand, 34, of Breaux Bridge, pleaded guilty to misprision of a felony, admitting he knew Jacquneaux and Wilson were manufacturing the counterfeit money with the intent to defraud. Bertrand, fully aware of the illegal activity, did nothing to report it. His complicity earned him a 10-month prison sentence, followed by 2 years of supervised release.
The investigation, a joint effort between the U.S. Secret Service, the Lafayette Police Department, and the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office, highlights the coordinated effort needed to combat increasingly sophisticated financial crimes. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig R. Bordelon prosecuted the cases, ensuring those responsible for undermining the integrity of the nation’s currency faced the consequences of their actions. The bust serves as a stark warning: counterfeiting isn’t a victimless crime, and those who engage in it will be relentlessly pursued.
While the sentences offer a measure of justice, the prevalence of these schemes raises questions about the accessibility of counterfeit materials and the ongoing need for enhanced security measures. Authorities are urging businesses and the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious currency to law enforcement. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this story and report on any further developments in the fight against financial crime in Louisiana and beyond.
Related Federal Cases
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- Tommie Joseph Beason, Possession of Child Pornography, Lafayette LA… · Georgia
- Cloyd Ray Knight, III, Counterfeiting, Arlington TX, 2013 · Washington
- Cliff Durio, Credit Card Counterfeiting, LA 2024 · Indiana
- Amy Evangelista Sentenced to 18 Months for Tax Fraud Scheme, Lathro… · Alaska
Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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