On March 24th, the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) Special Crimes and K9 Units conducted an investigation near Ash Fork after learning that a serious crime was afoot.
According to YCSO, during their investigation into 2 suspects, deputies searched the suspects’ vehicle and located a suitcase containing a safe. Upon gaining access to the safe, deputies discovered it was filled with specialized paper used for currency production. Further findings yielded ink, gloves, and partially printed $100 bills.
Deputies dug deeper and discovered more evidence to believe that the suspects were engaged in a “bill washing” scheme, a process used to remove ink from genuine currency to reprint it in higher denominations, that crossed over multiple states. The seized supplies were sufficient to produce approximately $1.25 million in counterfeit currency.
The suspects, 40-year-old Las Vegas resident Leeclark Fallah and 46-year-old Kenneh Pisco were arrested for Forgery, Criminal Possession of a Forgery Device, Money Laundering, Criminal Simulation, and Fraud Schemes.
“This was incredible investigative work by our SCU deputies,” said Sheriff David Rhodes. “The Special Crimes Unit successfully intercepted a sophisticated operation that undermines the integrity of the American economy.”
The investigation remains ongoing.
“…the integrity of the American economy…”
Hmmm, that’s gotta be one of the week’s most hyperbolic sentences!
Excellent work by YCSO. Thank you