Nevada Man Pleads Guilty in International Counterfeiting Scheme

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Las Vegas, Nevada pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of transferring counterfeit currency, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Zackary L. Ruiz, a/k/a Mr. Mouse, 19, of Las Vegas, Nevada, pleaded guilty to two counts before United States District Judge Mark Hornak.

In connection with the guilty plea, Ruiz also pled guilty to conspiracy to make, deal, possess, pass, buy, sell, and transfer counterfeit currency both overseas and in the United States.

Judge Hornak scheduled sentencing for April 18, 2016, at 9:30 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 45 years in prison, a fine of $750,000, or both.  Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the court continued bond.

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

The United States Secret Service conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Ruiz.