A 52-year-old Columbian man was arrested in the Orlando area Saturday morning for having $6,500 in counterfeit U.S. currency in his possession.
A Kissimmee police officer pulled the man over Saturday morning driving a dark blue BMW with a tinted front windshield. The officer apparently instructed him to pull over while he was conducting an unrelated traffic stop in the same area.
After checking the vehicle, it was allegedly determined that the car was not properly registered to the driver. The man was detained while the officer performed a field investigation.
Investigators claim the man gave his consent for officers to search the vehicle where they allegedly uncovered a black purse containing three separate envelopes, one of them apparently containing 50 counterfeit $100 bills.
The man was placed under arrest and taken to the Kissimmee Police Department to be interviewed by Kissimmee Police Detectives and a United States Secret Service Agent.
According to the Kissimmee Police Department, a thorough search of the vehicle revealed $14, 802 of valid U.S. currency, $6,500 of counterfeit U.S. currency and 46 random gift cards from various retailers.
The man was charged with possession of more than 10 counterfeit bills and was transported to the Osceola County Jail. At the man’s request, the Columbian Consulate was contacted.
Counterfeiting represents the act of generating false currency and distributing it or attempting to distribute it as a genuine form of cash. Counterfeiting can also include other criminal activities including possession of counterfeit money or goods or trafficking in counterfeit money or goods.
When counterfeiting involves money or government bonds, it is charged as a federal crime. Like most white collar crimes, this means federal agencies will investigate and prosecute the case. Not only do these federal agencies have more resources than law enforcement organizations at the state level, they tend to show fewer leniencies to those accused of counterfeiting.
In order for the prosecution to obtain a conviction in a counterfeiting currency case, it must be shown that the accused knowingly committed the offense. A Florida Counterfeit Defense Lawyer may be able to present compelling evidence to the jury that may result in a dismissal of charges if the following can be demonstrated:
• The accused did not commit the crime of counterfeiting
• The accused unknowingly was in possession of counterfeit money
• The accused had no intent to commit the crime of counterfeiting
• Any evidence pertaining to the charge of counterfeiting is insufficient or inconclusive
When accused of a counterfeiting offense, it is important to consult with a Florida Counterfeit Defense Lawyer at Whittel & Melton as early on in the process as possible. It does make a difference how soon a defense attorney is brought into the process. By consulting with legal counsel during the early stages of an investigation, the prosecution may be persuaded that they do not have a convincing case against you which could result in no charges being filed.
If you or someone you love has been arrested for counterfeiting throughout the state of Florida, contact the Florida White Collar Crimes Defense Attorneys at Whittel & Melton online or call us statewide and toll-free at 1-866-608-5LAW (5529).