LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas woman with a penchant for deception has pleaded guilty to manufacturing and selling counterfeit store coupons with inflated values, netting her millions in ill-gotten gains.
Serena Reamy Hedden, 38, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, a charge that carries a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison.
According to court documents, Hedden manufactured nearly 3.5 million counterfeit coupons at her residence between August 23, 2017, and September 17, 2019. The counterfeit coupon values were often created with inflated values, far in excess of what an authentic coupon would offer, in order to receive items from retail stores for free or for a greatly reduced price.
As part of the scheme, Hedden sold the counterfeit coupons to co-conspirators via social media and online and would mail the counterfeit coupons through the United States Postal Service. The merchandise she unlawfully obtained by using the counterfeit coupons she manufactured was sold from shelves in her garage.
On September 17, 2019, a federal search warrant was executed at Hedden’s residence. During that search, agents found electronic equipment she used to manufactured counterfeit coupons, along with large quantities of specialized paper, specialized printers, a large number of counterfeit coupons, unused packing boxes, and binders containing spreadsheet ledger pages.
Analysis of bar codes show that Hedden’s scheme produced nearly 3.5 million counterfeit coupons that caused losses of at least $20,833,517. Hedden pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud. The maximum statutory penalty is 20 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for May 7, 2026. A federal judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
“This case demonstrates the serious impact of large-scale counterfeit coupon schemes on retailers and consumers alike,” said Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang. “Serena Hedden’s actions not only defrauded businesses out of millions of dollars, but also undermined the integrity of the marketplace. We remain committed to investigating and prosecuting those who engage in such fraudulent activity.”
Related Federal Cases
- Yvonne Geneal Flores, Counterfeit Currency Scheme, Nevada 2024 · Texas
- Martin Sagaga Lio Jr, Mail Theft, Nevada 2024 · Illinois
- Maria Larkin, Trust Fund Recovery Penalties Evasion, Nevada 2024 · Wisconsin
- Judith Woodward, Tax Obstruction, Nevada 2024 · Nevada
- Tyrone Davis, Loaded Firearm and Cocaine Trafficking, Nevada 2024 · Pennsylvania
Key Facts
- State: Nevada
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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