A Charlotte County resident is now facing Federal counterfeiting charges after a multi-jurisdictional investigation by the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Economic Crimes Unit, North Port Police Department, Desoto County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Secret Service.
The investigation began in May in Charlotte County and led to the discovery of U.S. Currency being counterfeited in DeSoto County and then transported throughout Florida. Charlotte, Sarasota, and Polk counties confirmed having the counterfeit bills passed at local businesses in their jurisdictions.
The counterfeiting investigation ultimately led to the arrest of Sabrina Fisher (10/20/84) in July for Making or Possessing Instruments for Forging Bills and Forging Bank Bills. At the end of September the prosecution was assumed by the US Attorney’s Office, and Fisher was indicted on 3 Counts of Uttering a Forged Bill and 3 Counts of Possessing Instruments for Forging.
Corporal Paul Guyton, U.S. Secret Service Taskforce Agent for Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, served as the lead investigator between the cooperating agencies. During the course of the investigation, $1,385.00 of counterfeit $20, $10 and $5 Federal Reserve Notes were recovered.
The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office’s Economic Crimes Unit (ECU) aggressively pursues counterfeit operations. Anyone with information on counterfeiting activity is encouraged to report it to an ECU Detective by calling 941-639-2101. Information can also be provided to Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-780-TIPS.
Leave a Reply