East Tennessee Residents Indicted In Counterfeiting Conspiracy

GREENEVILLE, Tenn.-- On Jan. 14, 2014, a federal grand jury in Greeneville returned a three count indictment against Jordan Johnson, 20, Shannon Hawkins, 21, Tyler Monroe, 18, Ruben Suarez, 20, and Kayla White, 21, all of Kingsport, Tenn., charging them with conspiracy to defraud the United States; counterfeiting; and possessing counterfeited obligations.

Suarez was arrested on Jan. 27, 2014, and pleaded not guilty to the charges in U.S. District Court on Jan. 30, 2014. He was released on bond pending his trial date, which has not yet been set. Both Jordan and White are currently in state custody and will appear in U.S. District Court on Mar. 6, 2014, to enter pleas to the charges contained in the indictment.

Neither Hawkins nor Monroe has been arrested. As their current locations are unknown to law enforcement authorities, the Kingsport Police Department and U.S. Secret Service request anyone who has knowledge of either of their whereabouts to please contact the Kingsport Police Department at 423-229-9111.

This indictment is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Secret Service and Kingsport Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian Lampe will represent the United States.

Members of the public are reminded that an indictment constitutes only charges and that every person is presumed innocent until their guilt has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.