Gladstone Man Sentenced for Counterfeiting

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Gladstone, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for making and passing more than $15,000 in counterfeit money.

Robert Q. Liggans, also known as “GQ or “G,” 23, of Gladstone, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple to four years and two months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Liggans to pay $13,850 in restitution.

On Feb. 2, 2016, Liggans pleaded guilty to leading a conspiracy to manufacture, possess and pass counterfeit money from Sept. 23, 2013, to Jan. 15, 2015.

Conspirators used computer software and hardware, printers, scanners, paper, ink, and other materials to use and to make counterfeit $20 and $100 bills. They made purchases with the counterfeit money at various retailers (more than 10 Target stores, Plato’s Closet, Dollar Stores, fireworks stands and others). After making the purchases, conspirators later returned the items to obtain cash and/or gift cards.

Liggans admitted that, on 33 occasions, he passed or possessed a total of $13,850 in counterfeit money. Liggans also admitted that he passed at least $1,150 in counterfeit money at additional businesses, but they are not identifiable and therefore no subject to restitution payment. Liggans admitted that his total counterfeit activity was in excess of $15,000.

Liggans was released on bond on June 12, 2015, but failed to appear for his arraignment on June 24, 2015. He was arrested in Kansas on Aug. 13, 2015, during a high speed chase in a stolen vehicle and has been in federal custody since that date.

This case was prosecuted by Senior Litigation Counsel Gregg Coonrod. It was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and the Independence, Mo., Police Department.