UPDATE: Counterfeit Currency Arrests

On July 9, 2012, Ocean City Police investigators received information from the Fruitland, Maryland Police Department, in reference to the arrest of two adult male suspects for the possession and passing of counterfeit currency.

Fruitland detectives were aware that the OCPD was also investigating a rash of counterfeit currency crimes and believed the suspects in their custody may be involved in the Ocean City cases as well.

Based in the preliminary information provided by the Fruitland Police, OCPD investigators were able to determine that the two persons arrested in Fruitland, were in-fact suspects who were captured on surveillance cameras passing counterfeit currency in Ocean City during the weekend of July 6, 2012.

The two subjects arrested and charged by the Fruitland Police Department were identified as: Deontrae Lamar Bailey, 19, from Pocomoke, MD and Quincy Lene Williams, 21, of Norfolk, VA.

The subsequent investigation revealed the two subjects arrested by police passed counterfeit U.S. Currency in Fruitland, Ocean City, Princess Anne, and Pocomoke. A joint investigation was initiated by all these police departments, including the United States Secret Service.

During the investigation, area police have so far recovered several thousand dollars in counterfeit U.S. Currency which has been linked to these two suspects. Several regional Banks are still locating counterfeit U.S. Currency from deposits of local merchants.

Both Willams and Bailey have been charged by the OCPD with:

■4 counts of Theft under $100 (misdemeanor)
■2 counts of Attempted Theft under $100 (misdemeanor)
■1 count Manufacturing Counterfeit Currency (Felony)
■1 count Conspiracy to Manufacture Counterfeit Currency (misdemeanor)
■1 count of Conspiracy to Issue or Possess Currency (misdemeanor)
■1 count of Conspiracy to commit theft (misdemeanor)
■2 counts Possession of Forged Currency (misdemeanor)
Both Williams and Bailey are being held at the Wicomico County Detention Center on $10,000 bond.

The Ocean City Police Department is warning residents, business owners and employees to be on the lookout for counterfeit currency.

Ocean City Police are asking anyone with information about this incident, or the suspects involved, to please contact the Ocean City Police Department at 410.723.6600.

In addition Ocean City Police are encouraging citizens to closely examine currency by looking carefully at the money you receive. Citizens should be aware of the security features located on currency. The three main security features located on bills are: color-shifting inks on the number, security threads, which display the denomination of the currency imbedded in the bill and the watermark of the main image on the face of the bill located on the right side of note.

Ocean City Police Department is offering these tips to detect suspicious or counterfeit currency:

■The genuine portrait appears lifelike and stands out distinctly from the background. The counterfeit portrait is usually lifeless and flat. Details merge into the background, which is often too dark or mottled.
■On a genuine bill, the saw-tooth points of the Federal Reserve and Treasury seals are clear, distinct and sharp. The counterfeit seals may have uneven, blunt or broken saw-tooth points.
■Genuine serial numbers have a distinctive style and are evenly spaced. The serial numbers are printed in the same ink color as the Treasury Seal. On a counterfeit, the serial numbers may differ in color or shade of ink from the Treasury seal. The numbers may not be uniformly spaced or aligned.

Ocean City Police are asking that residents and businesses contact the department if you locate suspicious currency. In addition, the department reminds businesses and community groups that a crime prevention officer is available to conduct counterfeit awareness presentations upon appointment through the Public Affairs Office.

For further information on detecting counterfeit U. S. currency, citizens are encouraged to visit the United States Secret Service Web site at: http://www.secretservice.gov/know_your_money.shtml