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Labrawn Gullatt, Counterfeiting, Ohio 2018
Northeast Ohio retailers were hit hard by a brazen counterfeiting operation that flooded stores with fake $50 bills, according to a federal indictment unsealed today. Three men – Labrawn Revelle Gullatt, Jr., 23, of Euclid; Yul Ardon Martin, Jr., 39 and Meco L. Shaw, 22, both of Cleveland – are accused of running the scheme, racking up over $20,000 in fraudulent purchases.
The trio allegedly targeted big box stores and smaller establishments alike between April 2017 and February 2018. The indictment details purchases at Walmarts in Sandusky, Mansfield and Cleveland, Home Depots in Highland Heights, Mentor and Euclid, and even Babies R Us in Mentor. They weren’t just after high-ticket items either. The group reportedly used the counterfeit currency to buy small items, like a milkshake from Arby’s in Mentor and a sandwich from Chick-fil-A in Willoughby, likely to obtain legitimate change.
“These defendants are accused of stealing tens of thousands of dollars from stores across Northeast Ohio,” stated U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman. “Whether it was buying merchandise from large stores, making relatively small purchases in an effort to get change or buy debit cards with fake cash, they broke the law and will now be held accountable for their actions.” The investigation, spearheaded by the U.S. Secret Service, revealed a pattern of purchasing or attempting to purchase Mastercard and American Express gift cards and debit cards with the bogus bills.
The indictment goes on to specify that in January 2018, the group hit multiple stores in Aurora, including Adidas, Calvin Klein, and another Home Depot, as well as a Dick’s Sporting Goods in Bainbridge. This wasn’t a smash-and-grab operation; it was a calculated, sustained effort to defraud businesses and consumers. A fourth individual, Keith Abrams, 42, of Cleveland, was also indicted for passing $1,000 in counterfeit $50 bills at a Gap store in Westlake on November 21, 2017.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian S. Deckert is handling the prosecution. If convicted, Gullatt, Martin, Shaw, and Abrams face sentencing determined by the court, considering factors such as criminal history and the specifics of their involvement. While the statutory maximum exists, sentences are typically less severe. The U.S. Attorney’s office didn’t specify the exact charges, referring only to an eight-count indictment.
The Secret Service continues to investigate other potential links to this counterfeiting ring. Authorities are urging businesses to remain vigilant and report any suspicious currency to local law enforcement. This case serves as a stark reminder that counterfeiting isn’t a victimless crime; it impacts retailers, banks, and ultimately, the entire economy.
Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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