Two Counterfeiters Arrested

Investigators of the Financial Crimes Unit of the Tuscaloosa Police Department, working in conjunction with the US Secret Service have arrested two local residents on counterfeiting charges.

Tuscaloosa Police arrested 35 year old Miessha Reed and 20 year old Michael Edwards (both of Tuscaloosa) on one count each of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument (1st degree). Both subjects are being held on $10,000 bonds at the Tuscaloosa Metro Jail. They were arrested today (10/24/08) without incident.

Investigators believe the pair may have been part of a larger operation that is printing and circulating the bogus bills in the Tuscaloosa area. The investigation is ongoing and further arrests are possible.

Police officials remind area businesses to examine any suspect bills closely. Though counterfeit detection pens are commonly used, they are not infallible. Genuine US currency has several high-tech security features that are not easily duplicated including “micro printing”, security threads, watermarks and color shifting inks.