Bakersfield Man Indicted For Counterfeiting U.S. Currency

FRESNO, Calif. — Alfonso Castellon, 40, of Bakersfield, was indicted today on charges of counterfeiting U.S. currency and possessing images for counterfeiting purposes, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.

According to the court documents, from January 2011 to March 2014, Castellon counterfeited Federal Reserve Notes in $100 and other denominations. In March 2014, a search of his residence revealed sample images of $100 bills and computer equipment, printers, and ink associated with counterfeiting, along with a flash drive containing images of $100 bills.

This case is the product of an investigation by the United States Secret Service, the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bakersfield Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Michael G. Tierney is prosecuting the case.

If Castellon is convicted, he faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory sentencing factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.