Couple pleads not guilty to counterfeiting scheme
Published 11:48 am Friday, July 8, 2011
The Albert Lea couple charged in June as part of an alleged counterfeit ring pleaded not guilty in Freeborn County District Court Tuesday.
Travis Cameron
Travis Allen Cameron, 31, and Heather Ann Cameron, 34, will be scheduled for jury trials. They pleaded not guilty to manufacturing counterfeit currency.
The two are allegedly involved with a group operating a manufacturing, passing and dealing counterfeit money scheme in southern Minnesota, including the cities of Austin, Albert Lea, Faribault, Owatonna, Mankato, Northfield, Eagan and Burnsville.
The operation reportedly involved washing $5 bills and turning them into $100s. The bills would pass checks with a counterfeit pen.
Court documents state the Camerons and others made small-dollar purchases at retailers with the counterfeit bills in exchange for large amounts of change.
Heather Cameron
Freeborn County District Court Judge Steve Schwab on Tuesday ordered that each pay $100,000 unconditional bail or $50,000 conditional bail before being released. Conditions to follow include no alcohol or controlled substance use, no possession of drugs or alcohol, complying with random testing, submitting to random searches and signing a waiver of extradition.
According to online court records, each of the Camerons posted non-cash bonds and have been released from jail.
Manufacturing counterfeit U.S. currency carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $100,000 fine.
