A husband and wife from southern Warren County are facing multiple forgery charges related to a counterfeiting operation that spread fake bills in Marthasville and Washington.

Robert J. Ellis, 36, and Samantha C. Ellis, 38, have been charged with three felony counts of forgery, and two felony counts of possession of a forging instrument.

Samantha Ellis also was charged with one felony count of possession of a controlled substance.

The couple allegedly ran the operation out of their residence on Mill Street near Holstein. Charges against Samantha Ellis were filed Dec. 5 in Warren County Circuit Court. Charges against her husband were filed the next day.

Sheriff’s Department Detective Kevin Talir said fake bills had been found in deposits at Heritage Bank in Marthasville, possibly originating from purchases made at the nearby Dollar General. Fake cash was also discovered at Philly’s Pizza in Marthasville.

According to a probable cause statement seeking warrants for the Ellises’ arrest, Warren County deputies received information in August that Robert and Samantha Ellis were taking part in the manufacture of counterfeit money.

Deputies searched the couple’s home Dec. 5 and located several items used to create the counterfeits, according to the statement. Deputies reported finding a Hewlett Packard printer, ink cartridges, stencils, gold markers, gel pens and ink stamps.

Deputies also reported finding a paper cutter, multiple sheets of counterfeit $20 bills, counterfeit checks and counterfeit identifications cards, according to the statement.

Talir said the couple appeared to be experimenting with different kinds of paper. They allegedly used the printer to make copies of real bills, which could be identified because the copies had identical serial numbers.

A small bag containing a crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine was located in Samantha Ellis’ purse along with other counterfeit currency.

The couple is being held at the Warren County Jail. Robert Ellis is being held on a $25,000 bond. Samantha Ellis is being held on a $30,000 bond. 

The two had arraignments set for Wednesday, Dec. 13.

Wave of fakes

Authorities said the Ellises and their associates are the primary suspects in a wave of counterfeit bills discovered in Washington this year.

Washington police said they had been working with the Warren County Sheriff’s Department during the investigation into the counterfeit bills.

Most of the fake money recovered has been $20 bills, with some businesses reporting finding fake $50 bills. Washington police have been handling counterfeit cash cases since March.

After the first wave in March, bills popped up again in late August and early September. Police said the bills returned to area businesses in late November.

Washington police have been working off and on with the United States Secret Service to investigate the fake bills.

Police are still cautioning businesses and consumers to double-check any cash received to determine if it’s real or fake.

One way to check if cash is real is to feel the money — real bills have a different feel than what is being passed around, police said.

Another way to spot a phony is to hold the bill up to a light. Newer $10s, $20s and higher denomination bills have hidden watermarks. The images and words can only be seen when the bill is exposed to light.

Police said the easiest way to check if a bill is bad or not is to look at the lower right-hand corner. On newer bills the number is a hologram that “shimmers” when the bill is moved around.

The number appears to change color from green to gold. Counterfeiters can’t duplicate that effect.

Robert Ellis and Samantha Ellis