BECKLEY, W.Va. – An Ohio woman was sentenced to four years in federal prison for three counts of passing counterfeit money, announced Acting United States Attorney Carol Casto. Paula K. Green, 42, of Columbus, previously pleaded guilty to the federal counterfeiting crimes in October 2015.
Green admitted to passing counterfeit $100 bills in April 2014 in the Beckley and Charleston areas. In the Beckley area, Green passed counterfeit bills at several businesses, including businesses in the Crossroads Mall, as well as at K-Mart at the Plaza Mall off Robert C. Byrd Drive. In Charleston, Green passed counterfeit bills at K-Mart on MacCorkle Avenue.
As a result of this investigation, three other women have been sentenced for their roles in the counterfeiting scheme. Nyteria Green, of Columbus and the half-sister of co-defendant Paula Green, was sentenced in December 2015 to three years in federal prison. O’wynn Rogers, of Beckley, was sentenced in December 2015 to one year in federal prison. Nyteria Green and Rogers both admitted to passing counterfeit $100 bills in April 2014 at several businesses around Beckley, including businesses in the Crossroads Mall, as well as at the IHOP on Harper Road. Kenyata Smith, of Beckley, was sentenced in October 2015 to two years of probation for passing counterfeit money in April 2014 at a Dairy Queen in Beaver.
The investigation of these cases was conducted by the United States Secret Service. Assistant United States Attorney Eric Bacaj is handling the prosecution. United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentences.
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