Counterfeit Federal Reserve Notes were passed in Nassau County, making two local businesses lose money.
A 30-year-old Orlando man has pleaded guilty to passing counterfeit Federal Reserve notes. Leon White, 30, Orlando, faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. This follows an investigation by the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Secret Service, Jacksonville Field Office.
White has also agreed to forfeit the monetary proceeds he obtained by passing the counterfeit notes, as well as the computer media he used to manufacture them. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to the plea agreement, in January 2015, White and his co-defendants, Marcos Rogelio Blake, 24, New York, and Ralph Darel Lipsey, 28, Miramar, passed or attempted to pass counterfeit bills at multiple businesses in Nassau County. Law enforcement officers subsequently issued an alert for the three individuals’ vehicle.
On January 17, 2015, a deputy from the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office stopped the vehicle with the three men inside. Blake, who was driving the vehicle, was detained due to a suspended license. During a search, the deputy found genuine and counterfeit bills on Blake. An inventory search of the vehicle yielded additional counterfeit notes and a lock box containing computer equipment used to manufacture counterfeit bills.
A follow-up investigation connected White and Lipsey to more than $1,600 in counterfeit Federal Reserve notes.
On September 30, 2015, Blake pleaded guilty to manufacturing and passing counterfeit Federal Reserve notes, and possessing counterfeit business checks. Lipsey pleaded guilty to manufacturing and passing counterfeit Federal Reserve notes on October 26, 2015.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein.
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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