FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 6, 2009

CHICAGO MAN SENTENCED FOR ATTEMPTING TO PASS COUNTERFEIT CURRENCY

[Knoxville, TN] - Jose Benjamin Salazar, 34, formerly of Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Thomas W. Phillips to thirteen (13) months imprisonment. Additionally, Judge Phillips sentenced Salazar to a three (3) year period of supervised release.

Salazar pled guilty on September 26, 2008, to one (1) count of attempting to pass a counterfeit $100 bill at a retail store in Sevierville, Tennessee. At the time of his arrest, Salazar was found in possession of $2,700 in counterfeit $100 notes. Salazar told police that he had been brought to the Sevierville for the sole purpose of passing counterfeit notes.

Roland McAmis, Resident Agent in Charge at the Knoxville office of the United States Secret Service stated that “the notes found on Salazar were foreign made counterfeit that were produced in South America. They were of high quality and were highly deceptive.”

This investigation was conducted by the United States Secret Service, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank M. Dale, Jr., represented the United States.

For additional information, please contact United States Attorney James R. “Russ” Dedrick, Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank M. Dale, Jr, or Public Information Officer Sharry Dedman-Beard at 865-5454167.