Two Individuals Sentenced For Possession Of Electronic Image Of U.S. Obligation

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Brandon Everett Barker, age 36, of Austin, Texas, and Michelle Denise Carson, age 39, of Indianapolis, Indiana, were sentenced to 21 months imprisonment and 3 years supervised release, and to 12 months imprisonment and 3 years supervised release, respectively, for Possession Of An Electronic Image Of An Obligation Of The United States, in violation of Title 18 United States Code, Sections 474(a) and 2. The charge arose from an investigation by the Atoka Police Department and the United States Secret Service.

The Indictment alleged that on or about September 17, 2017, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendants unlawfully and with intent to defraud, had in in their control, custody, and possession, a digital and electronic image of an obligation or other security of the United States, a one hundred dollar bill.

“The defendants possessed the digital image of a one hundred dollar bill and equipment to create counterfeit United States currency with the intent to defraud others. Ultimately, the end result when a fraudulent intent is carried out and counterfeit currency is passed, an unsuspecting victim exchanges goods or services for a worthless piece of paper that appears to be legitimate U.S. currency,” United States Attorney Brian J. Kuester said. “Thanks to the heads-up police work by the Atoka Police Department and the United States Secret Service, the defendants’ were stopped from carrying out their fraudulent intent and an untold number of people did not become their victims.”

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 Rob Wallace represented the United States. The defendants will remain in custody pending transportation to the designated federal facility at which the non-paroleable sentences will be served.