RENO, Nev. – William Allen Griffin, 54, of Reno, is facing up to 20 years in federal prison after pleading guilty Monday to flooding the streets with nearly $30,000 in counterfeit U.S. currency. The scheme, operated right out of his home, was uncovered during a routine eviction.
According to court documents, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office deputies served Griffin with an eviction notice on March 22, 2017. The landlord, already suspicious, reported that Griffin had previously attempted to pay rent with fake bills. A search of the residence revealed a sophisticated counterfeiting operation: a computer, two printers, and a staggering $28,135 in bogus $5, $10, $20, and $100 bills. One freshly printed fake bill was found still cooling in the output tray of one printer, a damning piece of evidence.
Griffin admitted in federal court to possessing the counterfeit money and, crucially, to intending to spend it. This wasn’t a case of accidental possession; it was a deliberate attempt to inject fake currency into the local economy. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada, led by Dayle Elieson, is prosecuting the case, and isn’t taking it lightly.
This isn’t Griffin’s first brush with the law. He has a prior felony conviction for burglary in Carson City, adding to the severity of his current predicament. U.S. District Judge Miranda Du will hand down the sentence on December 17, 2018. In addition to the potential 20-year prison sentence, Griffin faces a maximum fine of $250,000.
The investigation was a joint effort, spearheaded by the U.S. Secret Service, with valuable assistance from the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, Carson City Sheriff’s Office, and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sue Fahami is leading the prosecution, determined to see Griffin held accountable for his actions. The Secret Service is reminding the public that counterfeiting is a serious federal crime.
If you suspect you’ve encountered a counterfeit bill, or have information regarding counterfeiting activity, the U.S. Secret Service Field Offices can be reached at (775) 784-5354 or (702) 868-3000. Don’t risk accepting it; report it. The Secret Service is working to protect the integrity of U.S. currency, one fake bill at a time.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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