St. Louis Woman Pleads Guilty To Passing Counterfeit Currency

Stephen R, Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on September 3, 2015, Shawnta L. Thomas, 37, of St. Louis, Missouri, pled guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Possess and pass Counterfeit United States Currency. Thomas faces up to 5 years in federal prison, a fine of up to $250,000 and up to 3 years of supervised release to follow any period of incarceration, when she is sentenced on December 10, 2015.

At her plea, Thomas admitted that between May 16, 2013, and May 19, 2013, she, along with two other individuals traveled into Southern Illinois to pass counterfeit currency at various businesses. Prior to being caught by law enforcement, Thomas and the other members of the conspiracy passed counterfeit United States Federal Reserve notes in Madison and St. Clair Counties. When arrested, Thomas was found to be in possession of an additional $380.00 in counterfeit currency that had not yet been passed.

The investigation was conducted by the United States Secret Service, Bethalto Police Department, and Pontoon Beach Police Department, and the case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ranley R. Killian.