Police believe they may have busted a ring of counterfeiters
responsible for spending fake $20 bills all over town in recent
weeks.
Morgan Hill – Police believe they may have busted a ring of counterfeiters responsible for spending fake $20 bills all over town in recent weeks.
Gerald Reynolds, 27, and Benjamin Garcia, 30, both of Morgan Hill were taken to Santa Clara County Jail and will face charges of possession of counterfeit currency.
Police discovered the counterfeit ring operating out of Extended Stay America hotel on Jarvis Drive after finding four $20 counterfeit bills in Reynolds’ possession. At approximately 2pm Wednesday, MHPD Officer David Ray recognized Reynolds walking in the Tennant Station shopping center. Ray, who knew Reynolds had a police record and was subject to search based on terms of his probation, stopped the suspect for questioning. While performing a search on Reynolds, Ray found $80 worth of fake money in his wallet.
“Officer Ray recognized him from prior contacts and knew he was on searchable probation,” Booten said.
After taking Reynolds into custody, police searched his hotel room and found more counterfeit currency.
In the room, police also arrested Reynold’s girlfriend, Adrianne Esparza, 28, of Morgan Hill, for possession of drug paraphernalia. She was released with a citation.
During the search, police learned Reynolds was also associated with another room rented at the hotel. When they searched the second room, police found Garcia, who was wanted on an outstanding bench warrant, and a computer and printer they believe may be involved in the counterfeit operation.
“Once officers were in Mr. Garcia’s room, they discovered a small, computer-based counterfeiting operation predominantly involving $20 bills,” Booten said. “All the property related to the counterfeiting operation was seized.”
Booten said police believe the suspects could be the same people responsible for spending counterfeit bills found at several Morgan Hill businesses over the last few weeks. According to police reports, the Cochrane Plaza McDonald’s reported receiving several counterfeit bills on July 22 and Panda Express also received fake $20 bills on Aug. 2.
“We are investigating the possibility that the $20 bills lately appearing in local businesses may have come from this operation,” MHPD Cmdr. Terrie Booten said. “We are still looking into this.”
The computer involved in the operation was taken by police for evidence, as well as folded sheets of counterfeit $20 bills, totaling more than $500, plus an uncut sheet of counterfeit $10 bills and a bag of shredded counterfeit money.
The investigation is continuing, Booten said, and other charges may follow. If convicted of counterfeiting, Reynolds and Garcia could face up to four years in state prison.
