FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 29, 2009
WWW.USDOJ.GOV/USAO/MA
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PENNSYLVANIA MAN CONVICTED OF COUNTERFEITING AND SOCIAL SECURITY FRAUD CHARGES
BOSTON, MA - A Lancaster, Pennsylvania man was convicted today in federal court of conspiracy to counterfeit U.S. currency, passing counterfeit U.S. currency, possessing a digital image of U.S. currency for counterfeiting, and false representation of a Social Security number.
Acting United States Attorney Michael K. Loucks; Steven Ricciardi, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service; Jeff Paula, Special Agent of the Office of the Inspector General, Social Security Administration, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division; and David Taylor, Acting United States Marshall for the District of Massachusetts announced today that RYAN JAMES CRAIG, age 27, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Michael A. Ponsor to all counts of the Indictment against him: one count of engaging in a conspiracy to counterfeit U.S. currency; two counts of passing counterfeit U.S. currency; one count of possessing a digital image of U.S. currency for counterfeiting; and one count of false representation of a Social Security number.
At today’s plea hearing, the prosecutor told the Court that had the case proceeded to trial the Government’s evidence would have proven that between January 17, 2006 to February 2, 2007, CRAIG conspired with others to counterfeit U.S. currency. CRAIG and others bleached genuine $1 and $5 Federal Reserve Notes (“FRNs”) to create blank currency paper; used a computer to reprint $100 counterfeit FRNs on the genuine currency paper left after bleaching; passed the counterfeit FRNs at stores in a variety of states, including Massachusetts, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida; researched counterfeiting techniques at the National Archives in New York City; and attempted to obtain a specialized magnetic ink and a sophisticated computer printer. On July 30, 2006, CRAIG also passed two counterfeit $100 FRNs at Market Basket grocery stores in Leominster, MA and Fitchburg, MA. On November 28, 2006, CRAIG possessed a laptop computer that contained various digital images of United States currency, including an image of the back of a $100 FRN. Lastly, on November 28, 2006, in order to obtain a debit card and conceal his identity so that he could remain a fugitive from justice, CRAIG falsely represented that a Social Security number to belonged to a fictitious person.
Judge Ponsor scheduled sentencing for January 22, 2010. CRAIG faces up to 25 years imprisonment, to be followed by 5 years of supervised release and a $250,000.00 fine.
The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service, Office of the Inspector General, United States Social Security Administration, Office of Investigation and the United States Marshals Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven H. Breslow of Loucks’ Springfield Branch Office.
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