Jacksonville, Florida – United States District Judge Brian J. Davis today sentenced Charles Cornelius Smith (36, Jacksonville) to 30 months in federal prison for passing counterfeit Federal Reserve notes and failing to appear for his sentencing hearing. As part of the sentence, the Court ordered Smith to pay restitution to the various individuals that he defrauded. 

According to court documents, in December 2014, Smith was indicted on three counts of uttering counterfeit Federal Reserve notes. He was arrested on January 20, 2015, and was released on bail. Smith pleaded guilty on February 6, 2015, and a sentencing hearing was set for May 27, 2015. On the day of sentencing, however, Smith failed to appear. Approximately four months later, Smith was arrested by deputies from the U.S. Marshals Service in Jacksonville.

This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service, Jacksonville Field Office and the U.S. Marshals Service. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein.