Counterfeit Bill Charge in Cumberland RI
Criminal Charges:
Man charged in the Rhode Island Superior Court (Providence County) for:
- Passing Counterfeit Bills, in violation of RIGL § 11-17-3
City, State, County and Court:
Cumberland, Rhode Island, Providence County
Rhode Island Superior Court (Providence County)
Case Overview:
Cumberland Police responded to a report from a Cumberland Farms clerk who received a suspicious $100 bill with pink writing and Chinese characters. Police identified the customer still on scene, who admitted to presenting the questionable bill. He was arrested and charged with the felony offense of Passing Counterfeit Bills.
The man retained Rhode Island Criminal Defense Lawyer, John L. Calcagni III. Due to the man’s prior criminal record, prosecutors declined to dismiss the charge or offer diversion. However, after negotiations, Attorney Calcagni convinced prosecutors to reduce the felony to a misdemeanor charge of Obtaining Money Under False Pretenses. The man admitted to this lesser offense and received a sentence of one year unsupervised probation.