The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls, on June 7, 2012, before U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon, ASHLEY SAMANTHA WHITE, a 25-year-old resident of Fresno, California, appeared for sentencing. WHITE was sentenced to a term of:

• Prison: time served

• Special Assessment: $200.00

• Restitution: $1,080.00

• Supervised Release: 3 years

WHITE was sentenced in connection with her guilty plea to counterfeiting obligations or securities of the United States and uttering counterfeit obligations or securities.

In an Offer of Proof filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica A. Betley, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:

In early December 2011, WHITE and Quawhan Cooley Phillips drove to Montana from California. During the afternoon of December 4, 2011, WHITE and Phillips went to an electronics and game store in Great Falls. WHITE and Phillips purchased a game system and accessories for $425. WHITE and Phillips paid in cash and left the store. The clerk believed some of the bills did not feel real and alerted police. Specifically, WHITE and Phillips paid for the purchases with $280 in counterfeit bills, and the balance of $145 was paid for with legitimate bills. Phillips provided (40) $5 counterfeit federal reserve notes, (2) $10 counterfeit notes, and (3) $20 counterfeit notes for a total of $280. After inspection of the serial numbers on the notes, federal agents confirmed these notes were in fact counterfeit.

Detectives learned WHITE and Phillips were staying at a hotel in Great Falls. During a search of the hotel room, detectives seized a Laser color printer loaded with paper consistent with the paper of the $5 counterfeit bills which had been passed around Great Falls. A can of Power House Heavy Duty oven cleaner, Totally Awesome cleaner, a toothbrush, and a rag were found in the room. A plastic glove with eight bleached $5 bills and two counterfeit $50 bills was found in the trash can. Four sheets of paper with printed $100 and $50 bills were found in the garbage as well. WHITE told police that she and Phillips gave counterfeit bills to the clerk at electronics store. WHITE also stated she was with Phillips when he purchased the printer in Great Falls.

All of the bills made, and many of the bills passed, were confirmed as counterfeit by federal agents.

Because there is no parole in the federal system, the "truth in sentencing" guidelines mandate that WHITE will likely serve all of the time imposed by the court. In the federal system, WHITE does have the opportunity to earn a sentence reduction for "good behavior." However, this reduction will not exceed 15% of the overall sentence.

The investigation was a cooperative effort between the U.S. Secret Service and the Great Falls Police Department.

Phillips has plead guilty to federal charges and is awaiting sentencing.

 

 

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