A federal grand jury returned a five-count indictment charging Chad M. Collins, age 28, of Salem, Ohio, with counterfeiting, forging and passing U.S. obligations and securities, said Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.
The indictment charges that beginning on or about Jan. 26, 2014, Collins passed several counterfeit securities in the Columbiana and Mahoning County areas. Specifically, he passed at least $1,800 in counterfeit $100 bills, according to the indictment.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violations. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.
The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the United States Secret Service, the Perry Township Police Department in Salem, Ohio and the Boardman Police Department. The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Teresa L. Dirksen.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
