South Florida Man Pleads Guilty To Manufacturing And Passing Counterfeit Federal Reserve Notes

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Ralph Darel Lipsey (28, Miramar) has pleaded guilty to manufacturing and passing counterfeit Federal Reserve notes. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each count. Lipsey also has agreed to forfeit the monetary proceeds he obtained as a result of the crime, as well as the computer media he used to manufacture counterfeit notes. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to the plea agreement, in January 2015, Lipsey and his co-defendants, Marcos Rogelio Blake and Leon White, passed or attempted to pass counterfeit Federal Reserve notes at multiple businesses in Nassau County. Law enforcement officers subsequently issued an alert for the three individuals. On January 17, 2015, a deputy from the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office stopped a vehicle with the three men inside. Blake, who was driving the vehicle, was detained due to a suspended license. During a search, the deputy found genuine and counterfeit bills on Blake. An inventory search of the vehicle yielded additional counterfeit notes and a lock box. The lock box contained computer media and supplies used to manufacture counterfeit bills.

On September 30, 2015, Marcos Rogelio Blake (24, New York) pleaded guilty to manufacturing and passing counterfeit Federal Reserve notes, and possessing counterfeit business checks. His sentencing date has not yet been set. Leon White is scheduled for trial in December 2015.

This case was investigated by the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Secret Service, Jacksonville Field Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein.