Anderson Man Pleads Guilty to Manufacturing Counterfeit Currency in Upstate Conspiracy

Anderson, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Kenneth Bearden, age 49, of Anderson, South Carolina, entered a guilty plea in federal court in Anderson to Manufacturing Counterfeit Federal Reserve Notes, in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. § 471, and Conspiracy to Pass Counterfeit Federal Reserve Notes, in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. § 371.  United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain, of Anderson, accepted the guilty plea and will impose the sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report, which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office. 

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Kenneth Bearden learned how to manufacture counterfeit from Crystal Hudson, a co-defendant who previously pled guilty in the case.  Bearden distributed counterfeit to other co-conspirators to pass and passed it himself around the Upstate.

Ms. Drake stated that the maximum penalty Bearden could receive is twenty years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 dollars. The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service, Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, Anderson Police Department, Belton Police Department, Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, Easley Police Department, and South Carolina Department of Probation, Pardon, and Parole Services. Assistant United States Attorney Jamie Lea Schoen of the Greenville office prosecuted the case.

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