Big Break Made In Counterfeiting Spree

A federal investigation has begun into counterfeit $100 bills recently passed in several areas in East Texas, including businesses in Edgewood and Canton.

The Edgewood Police Department and Van Zandt County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office both assisted in interviews last week that have led to a major break in the case.

"We are at the stage right now where a case will be presented to a federal prosecutor and that will go before a federal grand jury," Precinct 4 Constable Pat Jordan said.

Edgewood Police Chief Henry Askew said earlier this week that his department became involved in the case when two counterfeit $100 bills were presented at David’s Supermarket in Edgewood.

The suspect interviewed by Askew, Jordan and Secret Service Agent Todd Hiles was initially detained in Kilgore after he and a female companion were questioned by Kilgore police after passing a counterfeit $100 bill at a Wendy’s restaurant.

A search of the vehicle yielded 10 more counterfeit $100 bills and one counterfeit $20 bill, according to the incident report.

In subsequent interviews at the scene in Kilgore and with investigating officials, the male suspect gave different stories on how he acquired the counterfeit bills, Askew said.

"Henry and I went out to the suspect’s house and confiscated a computer and some oven cleaner we believe was used to clean the money," Jordan said. "The Secret Service took control of the property from there."

Jordan added that a counterfeit $100 bill was recently passed at Carquest Auto Parts in Canton. A fake $100 bill has also turned up in Ben Wheeler, the constable said.

"We are not sure at this time if that bill is connected to the same group," Jordan said.

A copier/scanner device purchased from a Wal-Mart SuperCenter is also believed to have been used in the counterfeiting procedure, Askew said.

The Edgewood chief praised the cooperative effort of all departments involved to this point.

"This was an excellent example of law enforcement agencies working together to get results," he said.

Jordan said he would like to look at presenting an educational program for bank officials and store owners to better educate them on how to identify a counterfeit bill.