CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Asante James, of Freeport, Illinois, has admitted to a counterfeit charge, Acting United States Attorney Randolph J. Bernard announced.
James, 21, pleaded guilty to one count of “Possession of Counterfeit Obligations.” James admitted to having 69 $100 counterfeit bills in December 2020 in Ritchie County.
James faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher L. Bauer is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The United States Secret Service, the Ritchie County Sheriff’s Office, and the South Charleston Police Department investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.