Two men who helped distribute more than $1 million in counterfeit money across the globe have been sentenced to federal prison.
Heath J. Kellogg was sentenced to 12 years and Stacy P. Smith was sentenced to three years for their roles in a counterfeiting ring that operated for almost two years, according to a news release from the office of U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates.
"Counterfeiting is far from a victimless crime because the person who unknowingly accepts the counterfeit bill usually absorbs the full amount of the loss, Yates said in a news release. "In this case, the victims included citizens, churches, and family-run businesses, as well as banks and large retail stores."
Authorities say Kellogg and Smith both purchased supplies that helped keep the criminal enterprise going. The duo focused on $50 bills, but also manufactured $20 bills and made changes to their counterfeit design based on feedback from their customers, according to the release.
Secret Service agents have recovered more than $1.4 million in fake money, authorities said.
Kellogg pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to counterfeit and deal in counterfeit obligations of the United States, two counts of counterfeiting currency, and two counts of dealing in counterfeit obligations on Nov. 5, and was sentenced March 24.
Smith pleaded guilty to one count of counterfeiting obligations or securities of the United States in violation on June 11, and was sentenced Wednesday.
There were also four other people associated with this case, according to the release:
- Kenyada Barrion, 37, of Lithonia, was sentenced Aug. 28, to 18 months in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Barrion was convicted on March 27, 2013, of dealing in counterfeit obligations of the United States.
- Cameron Longshore, 31, of Atlanta, was sentenced Oct. 10, to one year and one day in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. He was convicted Aug. 1, of one count of dealing in counterfeit obligations.
- Ian Longshore, 28, of Atlanta, was sentenced Oct. 10, to one year and one day in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. He was convicted on Aug. 1, of a single count of dealing in counterfeit obligations.
- James Kellogg, 63, of Marietta, was sentenced Dec. 2, to five years of probation, including six months of home confinement. He was convicted June 11, of conspiracy to counterfeit and deal in counterfeit obligations of the United States.
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