Man Charged with Selling Counterfeit Currency

        BUFFALO, N.Y.--U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Novel Rogers, 25, of Buffalo, N.Y., was charged by criminal complaint with making, selling, and delivering fraudulent U.S. currency. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Maura K. O'Donnell, who is handling the case, stated that according to complaint, Rogers sold counterfeit currency to a cooperating witness on several occasions. A search was later conducted at Rogers’ residence where law enforcement officers found that the defendant was in possession of over $16,000 in counterfeit bills which he had produced.

The criminal complaint is the result of an investigation by Special Agents from the United States Secret Service, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Tracy Gast.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.