(Reporters and editors, note: The defendant is incarcerated at the RI ACI and his most recent address is not reflected in available court records)
News Release
U.S. Department of Justice
United States Attorney
District of Rhode Island
November 18, 2008
Guilty plea in counterfeit currency
Jesus Nater, 29, pleaded guilty today to making counterfeit $20 bills, admitting that he made thousands of dollars in bogus twenties and passed bills at various places in the Providence vicinity – at the Providence Place Mall, to his landlord, and at drug and convenience stores.
United States Attorney Robert Clark Corrente announced the guilty plea, which Nater entered before Chief U.S. District Court Judge Mary M. Lisi in U.S. District Court, Providence.
At the plea hearing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew J. Reich said the government could prove that, between July 2007 and January 2008, Nater passed counterfeit bills on at least five occasions. In a hotel room that he used, agents found sheets of uncut counterfeit bills and a copying machine that he had used to make the bogus bills.
Nater, who has prior drug distribution convictions and is currently serving a state sentence for passing counterfeit bills, admitted to agents that he had manufactured approximately $100,000 in counterfeit $20 bills.
Judge Lisi scheduled sentencing for April 10. The maximum penalty is 20 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.
The U.S. Secret Service, Providence Police, and Johnston Police worked on the investigation.