Sheriff's office takes down another counterfeiter

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Baldwin County Sheriff's officer Lt. Bobby Langford brought down another local counterfeiter. The low-grade bills recovered totaled $620. Kyle Collins

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January 29, 2013

Sheriff's office takes down another counterfeiter

Kyle Collins The Union-Recorder The Union-Recorder Tue Jan 29, 2013, 02:58 PM EST

MILLEDGEVILLE — Baldwin County law enforcement arrested a counterfeit money suspect early Tuesday. Along with $620 fake bills of multiple denominations, Matthew Shane Clay, 37, possessed methamphetamines and prescription pills.

Lt. Bobby Langford from the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office received a tip about the local counterfeiter. He passed information about the male suspect and his vehicle to county patrol officers.

After midnight Monday, officers made contact with the driver. Following subsequent investigation, Clay allegedly had the fake money and illegal drugs.

The suspect is charged with forgery for the counterfeit cash and violation of the Georgia Controlled Substances Act for the meth and pills. He is currently held without bond.

According to BCSO Capt. Brad King, the majority of the bills produced were impassable. Evidence shows the money in various production phases from the copy of the real bill onward to the low-grade finished product.

“Some of the smaller bills, if you picked a busy location or dark restaurant, could have passed through,” King said.

From the suspect apprehended last Friday with precisely produced $100 bills to Clay's small-time operation, the BCSO continues seeing increased counterfeiting efforts.

King attributes the trend to affordable technology.

“The technology is more readily available to make a bill that is passable,” King said. “Years ago, an individual couldn't afford a printer that would make anything that was even close.”

Officials urge business owners to be cognizant whenever high quantities of larger bills are presented. If a suspicious incident occurs, BCSO encourages citizens to contact them in lieu of a personal confrontation.

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