Pair Sentenced For Making And Passing Counterfeit Bills

Michael J. Moore, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announced that Christopher Williams, age 28, from Conyers, Georgia, and David Birdsong, aged 32, from Lithia Springs, Georgia, were sentenced on October 22, 2014, to serve nearly four years (45 months) imprisonment and pay restitution in the amount of $700.  The sentences were handed down by the Honorable Hugh Lawson, Senior United States District Judge, in Valdosta, Georgia.

Mr. Williams and Mr. Birdsong entered guilty pleas on July 7, 2014 to manufacturing 72 counterfeit $50 Federal Reserve Notes using a scanner/copier/printer. In addition, they admitted that on February 7, 2014, they used 14 of the counterfeit $50 bills to purchased $700 in prepaid debit cards from two Family Dollar Stores in Valdosta, Georgia.  The two were arrested when Mr. Birdsong attempted to use four more counterfeit bills to purchase a $200 prepaid debit card at a Family Dollar Store in Quitman, Georgia. Store employees were suspicious of the bills and contacted police, leading to the arrest. A search of their car produced more than $3000 in counterfeit $50 and $100 bills and scanner/copier/printer, which was found in the trunk of the car. 

“The United States has a particular interest in bringing to justice those who seek to steal from other by making and using counterfeit Federal Reserve Notes.  The sentences in this case demonstrate that those who do so will spend significant time repaying what they have tried to steal, both from the victimized businesses and the public. Thanks to the diligence of the store employees and fast action from the police, these two were caught and could not spend any more of the counterfeit money they had made.” said United States Attorney Michael J. Moore. 

The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service, Valdosta Police Department and Quitman Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Robert D. McCullers prosecuted the case for the Government.

Inquiries regarding the case should be directed to Pamela Lightsey at the United States Attorney’s Office (478/621-2603).