Four Defendants Charged With Passing Counterfeit Money

CONTACT:      Barbara Burns
PHONE:           (716) 843-5817
FAX:                 (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y.—U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that four defendants have been charged by criminal complaint with distributing and passing counterfeit currency. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

Under arrest are Tiffany Key, 42, Shamell McCullough, 24, and Turemail McCullough, 23, all of Rochester. Key and Shamell McCullough made an initial appearance this morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge Marian W. Payson and were released on conditions. Turemail McCullough will make an initial appearance this afternoon at 3:00 p.m. before Judge Payson.

A fourth defendant, Dashawn Sanders, is still being sought by police. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Field, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, ON February 9, 2015, an investigating began into multiple passes of counterfeit currency in Monroe County, NY. The four named defendants were identified in part by video surveillance and photographs from various victim merchants. Some of the alleged illegal transactions include:

• On February 16, 2015, Tiffany Key passed $1,340 in counterfeit $20 Federal Reserve Notes at a Walmart located Cicero, NY.

• On March 9, 2015, Tiffany Key and Shamell Mccullough passed $1,020 in counterfeit $20 Federal Reserve Notes at a Walmart located in Webster, NY.

• On March 9, 2015, Dashawn Sanders and Shamell Mccullough passed $900.00 in counterfeit $20 Federal Reserve Notes at a Walmart located in Irondequoit, NY.

• On March 10, 2015, Tiffany Key, Shamell Mccullough and Turemail Mccullough passed $1,640 in counterfeit $20 Federal Reserve Notes at a Walmart located in Greece, NY.

• On March 10, 2015, Tiffany Key and Dashawn Sanders passed $1,300.00 in counterfeit $20 Federal Reserve Notes at a Dollar General Store located in Greece, NY.

• On March 12, 2015, Dashawn Sanders passed $3,800.00 in counterfeit $20 Federal Reserve Notes at a Walmart located in Seneca Falls, NY.

• On March 17, 2015, Turemail Mccullough passed $980.00 in counterfeit $20 Federal Reserve Notes at a Walmart located in Henrietta, NY.  

According to the complaint, the counterfeit currency is being obtained from the New York City area and brought to the Rochester area to be distributed and passed. The defendants are accused of passing a total of $92,960 in counterfeit currency. 

The complaint is the culmination of an investigation by the United States Secret Service, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge C. Todd Laster.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.