A Florida man has been sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for manufacturing counterfeit Federal Reserve notes, aiding and abetting the passing of counterfeit Federal Reserve notes, and possession of counterfeit Federal Reserve notes.
The court also ordered Derrick Kamran Collins, 32, Spring Hill, to forfeit computer equipment utilized for manufacturing counterfeit Federal Reserve notes and $2,846.18 in illicit proceeds from his counterfeiting activities.
Collins had been found guilty on October 25, 2022, following a bench trial.
According to court documents, from 2017 to March 2019, Collins acted as the source of supply for counterfeit Federal Reserve notes for various individuals throughout the Middle District of Florida. Collins was part of a scheme to pass the counterfeit bills in order to defraud businesses.
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After successfully passing the counterfeit currency at businesses, individuals paid Collins a portion of the proceeds. On March 26, 2019, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle that contained multiple people, including Collins, at the River City Marketplace for suspicion of passing counterfeit Federal Reserve notes.
During a search of the vehicle, the officers recovered multiple counterfeit $100 bills throughout the vehicle and in the glove box. Subsequently, law enforcement was able to determine Collins was the source of supply for the counterfeit Federal Reserve note that were passed by various individuals in the North Florida area, including at the River City Marketplace.
On November 21, 2019, the New Port Richey Police Department (NPRPD) conducted a traffic stop at approximately 1:00 a.m. on a vehicle driven by the registered owner, Collins. Upon making contact with Collins, law enforcement observed signs of impairment.
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During a subsequent DUI investigation, Collins refused to participate in field sobriety exercises and was arrested for DUI. During an inventory search pursuant to towing the vehicle from the area, the NPRPD located several sheets of counterfeit $100 bills in various stages of manufacturing in the trunk of the vehicle, and computer media. In the vehicle’s glove box, officers located completed counterfeit cash and illicit proceeds from the passing of counterfeit cash, bundled together.
This prosecution was part of a long-term investigation into counterfeit Federal Reserve notes being passed in the areas of New Port Richey and North Florida. To date, Collins is the fourth individual prosecuted in connection with this activity.
In February 2020, Charles Alexander Coriaty, III (Tampa) was sentenced to 16 months in federal prison for passing counterfeit Federal Reserve notes supplied by Collins and was ordered to pay restitution to the businesses that he defrauded.
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In June 2020, Brett Lawrence Rozenburgh (Tampa) was sentenced to 13 months’ imprisonment for passing counterfeit Federal Reserve notes supplied by Collins and was ordered to pay restitution to the businesses that he defrauded.
In September 2020, Samantha Jade Falcone (Tampa) was sentenced to 2 years’ federal supervision for passing counterfeit Federal Reserve notes supplied by Collins and was ordered to pay restitution to the businesses that she defrauded.
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