Five Western Pennsylvania Residents Charged with Passing Counterfeit Cash

PITTSBURGH – Five residents of the Western District of Pennsylvania have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of conspiracy and passing and uttering counterfeit money, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

The four-count indictment named Bruce M. Charles, Jr. 22, of E. Pittsburgh, PA; Edward J. Botti, 32, of Turtle Creek, PA; Seleste M. Foster, 24, of Braddock, PA; Destiny S. Dayton, 21, of Duquesne, PA; and Shad McClelland, 31, of McKeesport, PA.

According to the indictment, between May 16, 2015 to June 12, 2015, Charles, Botti, Foster, Dayton, and McClelland conspired and passed counterfeit $100, $50, and $20 Federal Reserve Notes throughout the Western District of Pennsylvania.

With respect to Charles and Botti, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of 65 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000 or both. With respect to Foster and Dayton, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of 45 years in prison, a fine of $750,000 or both. Finally, with respect to McClelland, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of 25 years in prison, a fine of $500,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendants.

Assistant United States Attorney Shardul S. Desai is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The United States Secret Service conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.