La Vergne Woman Pleads Guilty To Counterfeit Check Scheme

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – May 12, 2015 -  Christine Smith, 49, of La Vergne, Tennessee, pleaded guilty yesterday to a felony charge of possessing counterfeit securities, announced David Rivera, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee.

            During a plea hearing before Judge Aleta A. Trauger, Smith admitted taking part in a counterfeiting scheme in which she manufactured a variety of counterfeit checks, using fake accounts, and then used the checks to purchase stamps at various U.S. Post Office locations.  Smith then sold the stamps to another individual and on eBay at a reduced rate.

            On October 2, 2013, U.S. Postal Inspectors conducted a search of Smith’s residence and found a counterfeit check.  Smith admitted that she knew the check was counterfeit and that she had intended to use it to purchase more stamps from the U.S. Postal Service.  Smith also acknowledged that she had negotiated approximately 50 counterfeit checks at various Post Office locations, which totaled more than $5,000.

            Smith faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 when she is sentenced by Judge Trauger on August 17, 2015.

            The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the U.S. Secret Service.  The case has been prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys William F. Abely and Scarlett S. Nokes.