Counterfeit currency in South Texas: Three in custody after wide investigation

Devine police are confirming this week that a San Antonio trio arrested in La Vernia on felony forgery charges have been connected to counterfeit bills received in Medina County and elsewhere.

La Vernia police say they were contacted by at least four businesses earlier this month after they received counterfeit currency. An investigation was launched and on Wednesday, June 21, a search warrant was issued for the hotel room where the three suspects were staying.

According to a report on the case, investigating officers discovered a printer, linen cotton fiber paper, bleach, counterfeit detection pens, acrylic enamel, cutting materials, ink, a shredder, cellphones, a USB drive containing an assortment of digital photographs of currency and other electronic devices.

The digital photos included currency that included hundred-, fifty-, twenty- and ten-dollar bills.

Jessica Marie Smith, 40; Shawn David Moore, 36; and Michael Anthony Shannon, 38, were taken into custody on felony forgery charges.

A search of the suspects’ 1999 Chevrolet pickup truck revealed methamphetamine and heroin, resulting in two additional felony charges for possession of narcotics.

La Vernia Police Chief Donald Keil said the truck bearing a California  license plate had been spraypainted at least three times over the month.

“The vehicle search and multiple receipts discovered evidenced the suspects had passed counterfeit one-hundred dollar bills in San Antonio, Boerne, Devine, Live Oak and Selma,” the chief said in a social media post.

Devine police confirmed on Monday that businesses have reported finding counterfeit bills and that the case is an ongoing investigation.

According to Wilson County jail staff, Smith has been released on bond while Moore and Shannon remain behind bars as of presstime.