FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CONTACT: Lauren Horwood
December 19, 2011	PHONE: (916) 554-2706
www.usdoj.gov/usao/cae	usacae.edcapress@usdoj.gov

           

FRESNO, Calif. — United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced that today United States District Judge Lawrence J. O'Neill sentenced John Paul Martinez, 21, of Visalia, to one year and one day in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release for conspiracy to manufacture and pass counterfeit currency. Martinez was also ordered to pay $7,300 in restitution.

According to court documents, between October 2010 and February 2011, Martinez conspired with others to make and pass counterfeit money at local businesses in Tulare County. They printed $100 bills and used the counterfeit money at local retail businesses to purchase goods. Martinez received genuine currency as change from making the purchases and kept both the genuine currency and the purchased goods for himself. The scheme caused a loss of more than $17,000 to local businesses.

Co-defendant Kristy Angela Sandoval pleaded guilty to the conspiracy on November 4, 2011. She is scheduled to be sentenced on January 17, 2012.

This case is the product of an investigation by the United States Secret Service and the Visalia Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Michele Thielhorn is prosecuting the case.

####

 

Return to Top