Lehigh County Couple Charged With Passing Counterfeit U.S. Currency In Five Pennsylvania Counties

     The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Mohammed Abughaniyeh, age 29, of Laury’s Station, Pennsylvania, and Stacy Miller, age 25, of Whitehall, Pennsylvania, were indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury in Harrisburg and charged with Uttering Counterfeit Obligations of the United States.

     According to U.S. Attorney Peter J. Smith, in October 2013 and November 2013, Abughaniyeh and Miller allegedly passed counterfeit $100 bills, at businesses in Mifflin, Blair, Clearfield, Indiana, and Bedford Counties.  If convicted, they each face up to 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000.

     This case is being investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Pennsylvania State Police and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daryl F. Bloom.

     Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

     A sentence following a finding of guilty is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

                    In this case, the maximum penalty under the federal statute is 20 years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant’s educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.