MARQUE DESHARD THOMAS, a 41-year-old man from Austell, Georgia, was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison for possession of counterfeit obligations of the United States, a crime that landed him in the crosshairs of federal prosecutors in eastern Oklahoma.
Thomas was convicted under Title 18, United States Code, Section 472 and 2, after an indictment alleged he knowingly possessed forged U.S. currency on or about February 28, 2016, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma. Authorities say he had the intent to defraud—a charge rooted in both federal statute and hard evidence gathered during a joint investigation.
The case unfolded through a collaboration between the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the United States Secret Service, both of which have long targeted financial fraud operations that threaten public trust in currency. Thomas was caught in the net after officials discovered the counterfeit bills during a routine enforcement action that quickly turned criminal.
U.S. District Judge Ronald A. White presided over the sentencing hearing in Muskogee, Oklahoma, where Thomas received a nonparoleable sentence. He will remain in custody pending transfer to a designated federal correctional facility, where he’ll serve every month of the 33-month term.
Assistant United States Attorney Timothy Hammer prosecuted the case for the federal government, underscoring the Department of Justice’s continued push against financial crimes that, while often overlooked, undermine the integrity of the nation’s monetary system.
Counterfeiting remains a serious federal offense, punishable by heavy fines and prison time. Thomas’s case serves as a stark reminder: passing fake bills isn’t a victimless crime—it’s a federal offense with real consequences.
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Key Facts
- State: Oklahoma
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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