NEWS RELEASE

OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY

WESTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI

MATT J. WHITWORTH

Contact Don Ledford, Public Affairs ● (816) 426-4220 ● 400 East Ninth Street, Room 5510 ● Kansas City, MO 64106

www.usdoj.gov/usao/mow/index.html

SEPTEMBER 22, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MACKS CREEK MAN PLEADS GUILTY

TO COUNTERFEITING

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Matt J. Whitworth, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Macks Creek, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court jury today to his role in a conspiracy to pass counterfeit money in the Springfield, Mo., area.

Gregory Harrison, 35, of Macks Creek, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge James C. England this afternoon to the charge contained in a May 14, 2009, federal indictment.

Harrison admitted that he participated in a conspiracy to distribute counterfeit money from Oct. 19 to Nov. 9, 2008. Harrison manufactured approximately $1,800 in counterfeit currency, which he primarily gave to others to distribute. Co-conspirators distributed the counterfeit currency at fast food restaurants, where they ordered items off the dollar menu in order to obtain change. The legitimate currency was then used to purchase illegal narcotics. Harrison also admitted that he assisted co-conspirators in passing some of the counterfeit currency.

Harrison was arrested on Nov. 8, 2008, when Springfield police officers received information about him passing counterfeit currency at Springfield businesses. Officers located Harrison in a motel room, where they also found an Epson printer, a laptop computer and counterfeit $5, $10 and $20 bills.

Under federal statutes, Harrison is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $250,000. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall D. Eggert. It was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and the Springfield, Mo., Police Department.

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