Craigslist Ad Led Cops to Alleged Counterfeiter's Door

If you’re going to print phony money, it’s a safe bet that advertising the activity online is probably not a good idea.

It seems a 20-year-old Merritt Island man may have not gotten that message. He is accused of home-crafting a bunch of phony $20 bills and then trying to sell them on Craigslist.

The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office was clued into the alleged illegal activity courtesy of a tipster back in February. That tip sparked an investigation to find out who was behind the “Legit Counterfeit $$” ads placed on the website, a media release on the arrest stated. It seems the man didn’t make it too hard for detectives to find him since the ad also included his phone number.

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Deputies conducted a lengthy undercover investigation that included three undercover purchases of phony bills from the man, the release stated. Their fourth and final purchase ended in the man’s arrest. As the arrest was being made, detectives searched the man’s home and found a printer, counterfeit cash and other items used in the operation, the release noted.

The accused counterfeiter has been identified as Tony Jerome Torbert Jr. The 20-year-old was brought into custody last week on charges of possession of counterfeit currency with intent to defraud. Since the crime involved fake currency and federal charges, the U.S. Secret Service was brought into the loop, as well.

If convicted, Torbert faces up to 20 years in a federal prison, the agency’s release noted. Torbert was released on bond following his arrest.

Torbert, The Smoking Gun reported, told agents he’d been making fake cash out of his bedroom in his parents’ home since he was in high school. He estimated he’d produced about $20,000 in counterfeit cash in the last few months alone, the website reported.

Booking photo courtesy of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office

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