Tahlequah Man Sentenced To 21 Months For Possession Of Counterfeit Obligation

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Nicholas Ryan Renfro, age 25, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 21 months imprisonment and 3 years supervised release for Possession Of A Counterfeit Obligation Of The United States, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 474(a). The charges arose from an investigation by the Tahlequah Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the United States Secret Service.

The Indictment alleged that on January 10, 2018, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the Defendant knowingly had in his possession and custody, with intent to sell or otherwise use, a falsely made and counterfeited one-hundred-dollar Federal Reserve Note made after the similitude of obligations issued under the authority of the United States.

“The circulation of counterfeit U.S. Currency in the Tahlequah area has been a problem for local businesses and residents for some time. Because of the diligent efforts of the Tahlequah Police Department, Secret Service, and ATF, members of this office were able to successfully prosecute Renfro. This source of counterfeit money is no longer contributing to the problem,” United States Attorney Brian J. Kuester said. “I continue to urge everyone accepting cash for goods or services to pay close attention to what they are receiving. If you have accepted a bill and have reason to believe it is a counterfeit, contact your local law enforcement agency. Receiving timely information is key to solving virtually every crime, including counterfeiting.” 

The Honorable Ronald A. White, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Dean Burris represented the United States. The defendant will remain in custody pending transportation to the designated federal facility at which the non-paroleable sentence will be served.