The Washington County Sheriff’s Department has recovered over $600 in counterfeit bills in the last week;  five are in jail on counterfeiting charges while police still look for more involved. 

In fact, police believe there are three different groups working to make “funny money” in the area. 

According to Washington County Sheriff Roger Newlon, during the week of July 17 thru July 22 officers took reports of counterfeit currency being passed in the Salem and Pekin areas of Washington County.

Information, evidence and victim statements were obtained along with security video to create a list of suspects, said Newlon. 

Bills are taken at the following locations:

• On Friday, July 21, $140 in counterfeit money was recovered from a
  victim at a yard sale.
• On Sunday afternoon, July 23, $40 In counterfeit money was recovered
  from Taco Bell in Salem.
• A $20 bill was attempted to be passed at the Sunoco station in Pekin earlier this month. 
• 2 $20 bills were found in a business deposit from Old National Bank. 

Deputy Sheriff Brent Miller said the Sunoco and Old National bills were manufactured differently from the other money recovered. 

“There are some counterfeit $10s going through,” said Miller. “[In] a separate incident. Two $20 bills were manufactured differently. We think that is not connected to this bigger case. We think we may have three different cases.”

On Sunday afternoon, July 23, officers identified a female, Amanda Goss, as being one of the suspects while serving an unrelated arrest warrant.

After interviewing Amanda she was charged with counterfeiting.

On Monday morning, July 24, officers were attempting to locate other suspects when information was obtained that two of the suspects, Jessie Harrod and Jeffrey Petty, had been arrested earlier in the morning, in Clark County on counterfeiting charges. (See related story)

These two men had the printer scanner used in making some of the bills in question. 

“If you’re at a business and taking bills and it’s busy, you might not notice the,” said Newlon. “However, if you’re paying attention, you’re going to see right away that these are not real.” 

“They were using a scanner printer. Something most people have in their homes,” said Newlon. “These people have no relationship to each other, other than a boyfriend girlfriend and acquaintances.”

On Monday, July 24, Officers obtained and executed a search warrant at a residence on Vincennes Trail, in Washington County.

Evidence of manufacturing counterfeit money was located on the property and seized. The occupant of the residence, Jennifer Ullrich was arrested and charged with counterfeiting.

On Monday afternoon, July 24, officers located William Motsinger and conducted an interview with him at the Washington County Sheriff’s Department.

After the interview, Motsinger was arrested for counterfeiting. $420 in counterfeit money was also recovered as a result of his arrest.

This investigation is continuing with more arrests expected.

Assisting in the investigation were Pekin Town Marshal, Jeff Thomas and Conservation Officer Neal Brewington.

Other Officers involved Sheriff Newlon, Deputy Sheriff Miller and Deputy Brad Naugle.

State Troopers in Bloomington are warning drivers of a fake trooper.

The Indiana State Police issued a warning about a man in Monroe County who claims to be a State Trooper.

Police say the man pulled someone over on Tuesday morning near Arlington Road at State Road 46.

Investigators say the fake trooper may be driving a black Ford Mustang with a thin blue line painted on the front license plate.

Hoosiers with disabilities will now be able to save money without jeopardizing their state and federal benefits.

Today, Indiana State Treasurer Kelly Mitchell announces the launch of its INvestABLEIndiana savings plan. The plan was made possible by the passing of the ABLE Act of 2014. It allows for the creation of tax-advantaged savings accounts for individuals with disabilities to save for their future, and pay for disability related expenses without endangering access to vital public benefits.

The intent of these accounts is to ease financial burdens on individuals with disabilities and allow for financial savings to cover qualified living expenses including, but not limited to, education, transportation, housing and medical needs.

Treasurer Mitchell said this about the new ABLE plan, “I am pleased to be able to offer such an important service to Hoosiers. With INvestABLE Indiana, individuals with disabilities, their family members and others can contribute funds to a tax-exempt ABLE account without affecting the individual’s eligibility for state and federal benefits. This program allows individuals living with disabilities an opportunity to build assets.”

INvestABLE Indiana offers seven investment options, including a checking account option with a debit card. Up to $14,000 per year can be saved in an account, with a maximum account balance of $450,000. For an individual receiving Social Security benefits, they can save up to $100,000 in their INvestABLE Indiana account and not risk losing their monthly benefit. Money can be withdrawn and spent on qualified expenses or INvestABLE Indiana account holders can choose to grow their finances and create long-term savings with tax-free earnings. Contributions and earnings in INvestABLE Indiana accounts are not subject to federal or state income tax if spent on qualified expenses, similar to a 529 college savings account. Contributions are made with post-tax dollars.

To qualify for an ABLE account, the account owner must have the onset of disability or blindness before the age of 26 and be receiving Social Security benefits. If they are not receiving Social Security benefits, but still meet the age of onset disability requirement, they may still be eligible if they meet Social Security’s definition and criteria regarding significant functional impairment and can provide a letter of certification from a qualified physician.

In celebration of this milestone, the Indiana Treasurer of State and the Indiana ABLE Authority will be holding launch events around the state during the month of August.

August 11th – The ARC, Evansville
August 15th – The Will Center, Terre Haute
August 22nd – Logan Center, South Bend
August 30th – Turnstone Center, Fort Wayne

Indiana is part of the National ABLE Alliance, a partnership of states dedicated to providing individuals living with disabilities and their families with an ABLE investment product that offers multiple financial options at low cost. Ascensus College Savings manages and administers INvestABLE Indiana, as they do the state’s CollegeChoice 529 Savings Plans.

Learn more at in.savewithable.com