Charleroi Woman Helped Pass Counterfeit Cash At Western PA Retail Stores

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

Cheryl Leigh Johnson, 36, of Charleroi, Pa., 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, Johnson conspired with codefendants John Viloria, Barry Robert Youger, Jr. and Eric Seighman, 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 March 2, 2015 at 10 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than five 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 sentence, the court released Johnson 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 Johnson.