FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, December 13, 2007
AUSTIN JAY MANCHA PLEADS GUILTY IN U.S. FEDERAL COURT
Bill Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, announced today that during a federal court session in Great Falls on December 12, 2007, before U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon, AUSTIN JAY MANCHA, a 25-year-old resident of Great Falls, pled guilty to conspiracy to manufacture counterfeit currency. Sentencing is set for March 24, 2008. He is currently detained.
In an Offer of Proof filed by the United States, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:
On March 27, 2007, the undisputed leader of the counterfeiting ring, hereafter referred to as "John Doe", MANCHA, and others went to Wal-Mart where they purchased a stereo (to return for cash), a printer, tape, scissors, paper and a ruler (requested by "John Doe") using a fraudulent check.
John Doe", MANCHA, and two others then went to "John Doe's" home to begin processing counterfeit currency. "John Doe" printed counterfeit currency with the assistance of MANCHA and two other individuals. "John Doe" began by using concrete cleaner - a purple liquid - to bleach genuine $5 and $10 federal reserve notes. The conspirators then used the bleached paper to print counterfeit $100 federal reserve notes.
John Doe" was arrested at the Longhorn Casino in Great Falls on April 10, 2007, for passing and possession of counterfeit currency. Upon "John Doe's" arrest, his wife went to MANCHA'S residence where the printer and a bag of uncut counterfeit currency was held. "John Doe's" wife and MANCHA threw the printer and bag of uncut currency in the garbage dumpster. "John Doe's" wife also took a large bottle of the concrete cleaner back to her residence and retrieved a second bag of uncut currency and a second bottle of concrete cleaner. She then went to his sister's apartment - across the hall from "John Doe's" apartment - and she and her sister flushed the evidence down the toilet and sink. The sink and toilet became plugged and the landlord had to take down part of the wall to repair the plumbing.
On April 11, 2007, a waste treatment plant employee discovered a $100 federal reserve note floating in the water. The employee took the note to a bank and determined it was counterfeit. The employee then took the note to the Great Falls Police Department and turned it over to police. The note had the same serial number as one used by "John Doe" and it was printed on bleached genuine federal reserve note paper.
Also on April 11, 2007, three additional counterfeit bills - matching those passed by "John Doe" at the Longhorn Casino - were passed at Wal-Mart.
MANCHA faces possible penalties of 5 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl E. Rostad prosecuted the case for the United States.
The investigation was a cooperative effort between the U.S. Secret Service and the Great Falls Police Department.
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A copy of the Offer of Proof can be obtained by contacting Sally Frank at (406) 247-4638.
