Menu
TOP STORY OF THE DAY: Watch your money: Can you spot fake bills?
Counterfeiting is not a normal charge in the community, but Brazil Police Department recently investigated one involving $20 bills.
Brazil Police Assistant Police Chief Dennis Archer confirmed the investigation started on January 31, when a local gas station reported possible counterfeit money had been passed at the store.
Archer said a person of interest, Drake Best, 23, Brazil, was identified and requested to come to the department. However, for whatever reason, Best did not comply.
Archer said a case report was turned over to the Clay County Prosecutor’s Office for review and potential formal charges.
On Tuesday, February 15, in Clay Circuit Court, the case was brought before the court. Due to the probable cause affidavit, a felony arrest warrant was issued on charges of Counterfeiting and misdemeanor Theft.
Best was taken into custody later that day and transported to the Clay County Justice Center to await formal court proceedings.
On Wednesday, Best appeared for the initial hearing before Judge Joseph Trout. Indigent counsel was appointed, and a jury trial was tentatively scheduled for August.
Best was returned to jail with a $7,000 bond, 10% allowed, to await further court proceedings.
Law enforcement later determined that Best is currently out on federal probation for undisclosed charges.
“We usually have reports of counterfeiting around the bridge festival in the fall,” said Archer. “Most of these bills are obviously not real.”
According to Archer and the US Federal Reserve, the best way to determine whether money is genuine is to rely on built-in security features: Hold a bill up to bright light and check for the watermark and security thread.
The Federal Reserve states: “It is important to know what the security features are in genuine currency because if you end up with a counterfeit note, you will lose that money. A counterfeit note cannot be exchanged for a genuine one, and it is illegal to knowingly pass counterfeit currency.”
While this appears to be a one-off incident, Archer said people should check their money, especially if it feels weird: “The feel of the paper money is unique. Also, that little bar in the bill, if you are holding a $20, and that bar reads $1 or $5, it’s counterfeit.”
Call your local law enforcement agency’s office number during normal business hours if you feel you have acquired counterfeit money.