Two charged with counterfeiting
CONNELLSVILLE – A North Pittsburgh Street couple have been charged with manufacturing counterfeit money and selling it from their home. Robert E. Hunter, 31, and Tina M. Warrick, 31, both of 602 N. Pittsburgh St., have each been charged with forgery, criminal conspiracy, and unlawful use of computers stemming from the incident.
According to Connellsville Police Chief Stephen Cooper, the department was made aware of the illegal manufacturing of money after the report of a McDonald’s customer giving a $50 counterfeit bill as payment.
Employees, said Cooper, obtained the license plate number of the vehicle being used by the unidentified man and turned the information over to police.
After the man was found and questioned by police, the U.S. Secret Service and Fayette County District Attorney’s Office was contacted to provide additional assistance.
Cooper said local and federal agencies set up a sting operation using the unidentified man’s relationship with Hunter and Warrick to make a purchase of the counterfeit money.
Cooper said the couple agreed to exchange $50 in U.S. currency for $140 in the computer generated money.
After the exchange, District Justice Ronald Haggerty was requested to issue a warrant to search the couple’s home.
During the search, officers said they retrieved computers and other items related to making counterfeit money.
“It would be hard to tell the real money from the counterfeit bills,” said Cooper, noting the quality of the money.
Hunter and Warrick were arraigned before Haggerty and lodged in Fayette County Prison in lieu of a $10,000 straight cash bond.
A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled for Wednesday at 1:30 p.m.