Federal indictments have been issued against three people involved in a suspected counterfeiting ring after the trio attempted to return merchandise to a local retail store in exchange for genuine cash. Indicted in the case were Harlin W. Mack, 24, Jaonta S. Scarlett, 25, and Barbara M. Hendricks, 20. The three suspects are in federal custody, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri. Doug Roberts, investigative supervisor with the St. Louis branch of the U.S. Secret Service, said officials at the Warrenton Wal-Mart stopped and detained the suspects when the merchandise return was attempted. Warrenton police were notified and the suspects were taken into custody Monday, June 10, Roberts told The Record. The suspects were turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marhsal’s Service. According to Roberts, high-cost items such as electronics were purchased with counterfeit currency at retail stores in Columbia and Fulton and then the suspects traveled to Warrenton where they attempted to exchange the items for genuine cash. Mack, Scarlett and Hendricks attempted to pass 17 false $100 bills, according to the indictment. Roberts said the arrest was the result of “good police work by the Warrenton Police Department. They made a great stop and then we worked with them to secure additional evidence.” If retailers are suspicious whether a bill is counterfeit, Roberts advises them to compare the suspect currency with a genuine bill. Genuine currency is a blend of linen and cotton, and includes several security features. The fake bills that Mack, Scarlett and Hendricks attempted to pass were made of paper and the image of Benjamin Franklin was “flat,” Roberts said. “It lacked the three-dimensional perspective” of a genuine $100 bill, he remarked. Additional tips on identifying counterfeit bills are available at www.secretservice.gov, Roberts stated. An investigation into the case is ongoing, Roberts said. $100 Bill image