Hearing delayed for alleged counterfeiters
CONNELLSVILLE – A preliminary hearing for two city residents charged with manufacturing counterfeit money has been continued until a later date. The hearing, scheduled for Wednesday before District Justice Ronald Haggerty, was delayed at the request of the couple’s legal counsel.
Last month, police charged Robert E. Hunter, 31, and Tina M. Warrick, 31, both of 602 N. Pittsburgh St., with forgery, criminal conspiracy and unlawful use of computers stemming from the incident.
According to the affidavit filed by police, the local department was alerted to the illegal manufacturing of money after receiving a report of a McDonald’s customer giving a $50 counterfeit bill as payment.
Restaurant employees 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 were contacted to provide additional assistance.
The agencies set up a sting operation, using the unidentified man’s relationship with Hunter and Warrick to make a purchase of the counterfeit money.
Police said the couple agreed to exchange $50 in U.S. currency for $140 in the computer- generated money. After the exchange, 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.
Hunter and Warrick remain free on $10,000 straight cash bond.