Orlando Man Found Guilty Of Conspiring To Possess And Pass Almost $10,000 In Counterfeit Money

Orlando, FL - U.S. Attorney Robert E. O'Neill announces that a federal jury yesterday found Ibrahim Issa (23, Orange Park) guilty of conspiracy to possess and pass counterfeit money. He faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 17, 2013.

Issa was indicted on March 20, 2013, and a superseding indictment was filed on May 1, 2013.

According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Issa agreed to hold almost $10,000 in counterfeit $100 bills at his cell phone store in Orlando. He was then told to give the money to a family friend who was scheduled to return the fake money to someone in the Tampa/Sarasota area as part of a larger counterfeit money scheme. U.S. Secret Service agents discovered Issa's role in the scheme after one of Issa's employees stole $600 of Issa's counterfeit money and spent the phony bills in the Orlando area.

This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joseph M. Schuster.