Group behind fake bills busted

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Secret Service, and local police have busted three persons who were allegedly behind the passing of fake bills at some stores on Saipan.

The federal agents arrested brothers Nestor Camacho Taitano and Lucas Taitano Manglona, and Kisha Lyn Masga King after an indictment was filed against them in federal court on Thursday.

Taitano and King were charged with one count of conspiracy to utter counterfeit obligations and securities, and three counts of counterfeiting. Taitano and Manglona were charged with one count of conspiracy to utter counterfeit obligations and securities, and one count of counterfeiting.

The three were taken to the U.S. District Court for the NMI yesterday afternoon for a hearing. They pleaded not guilty.

U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Alex R. Munson set no bail “at this time” for the three suspects.

Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Benedetto stated in the indictment that the three used fake money on Jan. 12, 2009, to defraud at least four establishments: Koblerville Shell gas station, Tapo Fashion in Chalan Piao, Fashion Avenue in Chalan Kanoa, and Nang Ocha Store in San Vicente.

Benedetto said the object of the conspiracy was to obtain merchandise and genuine U.S. currency as change from the transactions.

The prosecutor said that on Jan. 12, 2009, Taitano supplied King with a counterfeit $50 bill to buy gasoline at the Koblerville Shell gas station. Benedetto said King used the fake $50 bill to pay for $10 gas.

Taitano allegedly supplied King with another counterfeit $50 bill to pay for clothing or other items at the Tapo Fashion. King passed the fake $50 bill to the sales clerk at the Tapo Fashion and obtained clothing and change, which she then gave to Taitano.

Benedetto said Taitano handed King another fake $50 bill to pay for clothing and other items at Fashion Avenue. King passed the counterfeit $50 bill to the sales clerk at the Fashion Avenue and obtained clothing and change. King then gave the money to Taitano.

Benedetto said Taitano also gave Manglona counterfeit $50 denominations.

Manglona allegedly passed one fake bill to the clerk of the Nang Ocha Store in San Vicente to pay for a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. Manglona received change, which he then gave to Taitano.

Police first discovered the passing of fake money on the island after brothers Taitano and Manglona had a fight at their compound in San Vicente last January.

Responding police officers arrested Manglona after he admitted purchasing a pack of cigarettes and a lighter at Nang Ocha Store using a fake $50 bill.

Manglona claimed that his brother has been dealing illegal drugs and has knowledge of stolen property around villages.

Manglona also disclosed that a few days ago his brother showed him a bunch of rolled up cash that were all counterfeit.

A police officer proceeded to Nang Ocha Store where he was able to confirm that there was indeed a fake $50 bill in the cash register.

U.S. Secret Service special agent Virgil D. “Gus” recently disclosed a significant increase in the amount of counterfeit U.S. currency bills being circulated on Saipan in the last 60 to 90 days.

Reichle, in an interview with Saipan Tribune, corroborated Crime Stoppers Program coordinator Jason Tarkong’s statement that these fake dollar bills are now being made locally.

“We believe these fake bills are made here on Saipan. But as far as hard proof, we don’t have it as of right now,” Reichle had said.

Reichle and fellow special agent Mac Bostic recently conducted training for business and law enforcement representatives at the Chamber of Commerce in Garapan due to a recent rash of counterfeit complaints on the island.

Officer Tarkong first disclosed that the problem of fake bills on the island is getting serious, with people involved in illegal drugs believed to be behind the circulation of these fake bills.