2 more arrested in counterfeiting
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Livingston Parish sheriff’s deputies arrested two more people in a counterfeiting scheme, bringing the total arrested in the case to five, deputies said.
Stephen Hartzog, 51, 31171 Eden Church Road, Denham Springs, and Maria Lewis, 33, 30894 Lilac St., Denham Springs, were arrested Jan. 1 on state or federal charges in the counterfeiting scheme, deputies said in a statement.
Livingston Parish sheriff’s deputies said about $2,500 in counterfeit $20s were printed, at least some of which were passed to businesses before the first arrests on Dec. 29.
Lou Velez, Baton Rouge resident agent in charge for the Secret Service, said counterfeiting is on the rise, possibly with the downturn in the economy, noting attempts in Tangipahoa Parish last year and in the Lafayette area this year.
The Secret Service has the job of investigating counterfeiting, in addition to its more widely known role of protecting the president.
Velez said quick police work stopped the Livingston Parish counterfeit plan before it spread. The suspects bought illegal drugs with the money and one of them intended to buy a gun, he said.
Hartzog was booked Thursday on the state charge of monetary instrument abuse. His bond is set at $25,000 and he remained Monday in Livingston Parish Prison.
Lewis was booked as a fugitive from sheriff’s departments in Missouri and Arkansas and on federal charges of printing, possessing and distributing counterfeit money.
No bond has been set for her, but the Secret Service has placed a hold on her, deputies said.
The Secret Service also placed holds on two others arrested on monetary instrument abuse and other state charges Dec. 29: Derek Mike Landry, 29, and Frankie Ballard, 32, both of 618 Mattie St., Denham Springs.
Stephen Hartzog, 51, 31171 Eden Church Road, Denham Springs, and Maria Lewis, 33, 30894 Lilac St., Denham Springs, were arrested Jan. 1 on state or federal charges in the counterfeiting scheme, deputies said in a statement.
Livingston Parish sheriff’s deputies said about $2,500 in counterfeit $20s were printed, at least some of which were passed to businesses before the first arrests on Dec. 29.
Lou Velez, Baton Rouge resident agent in charge for the Secret Service, said counterfeiting is on the rise, possibly with the downturn in the economy, noting attempts in Tangipahoa Parish last year and in the Lafayette area this year.
The Secret Service has the job of investigating counterfeiting, in addition to its more widely known role of protecting the president.
Velez said quick police work stopped the Livingston Parish counterfeit plan before it spread. The suspects bought illegal drugs with the money and one of them intended to buy a gun, he said.
Hartzog was booked Thursday on the state charge of monetary instrument abuse. His bond is set at $25,000 and he remained Monday in Livingston Parish Prison.
Lewis was booked as a fugitive from sheriff’s departments in Missouri and Arkansas and on federal charges of printing, possessing and distributing counterfeit money.
No bond has been set for her, but the Secret Service has placed a hold on her, deputies said.
The Secret Service also placed holds on two others arrested on monetary instrument abuse and other state charges Dec. 29: Derek Mike Landry, 29, and Frankie Ballard, 32, both of 618 Mattie St., Denham Springs.
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