Bronx Man Pleads Guilty In Counterfeit Currency Scheme

PITTSBURGH – A resident of New York City pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of conspiracy, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

John Viloria, 25, of Bronx, New York, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Court Judge Cathy Bissoon.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that during the period from July 1, 2014, through July 28, 2014, Viloria conspired with codefendants Barry Robert Youger, Jr., Eric Seighman and Cheryl Leigh Johnson, to pass thousands of dollars of counterfeit Federal Reserve notes at various retail store locations in the Western District of Pennsylvania.

Judge Bissoon scheduled sentencing for July 27, 2015 at 10 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 5 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the court continued Viloria on bond.

Assistant United States Attorney Mary McKeen Houghton is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The United States Secret Service conducted the investigation that lead to the prosecution of Viloria.