Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Staff report
YOUNGSTOWN
The prosecution is recommending probation with 40 hours of community service for an East Side man who pleaded guilty to turning over five counterfeit $100 bills to deputy sheriffs when he was booked into Mahoning County jail.
Christopher Brooks, 26, of Oak Street Extension, pleaded guilty to the forgery charge pertaining to the counterfeit bills Tuesday before Judge Lou A. D’Apolito of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.
Brooks, who could get probation or a six- to 12-month prison term, remains free on bond pending his 9:30 a.m. Aug. 10 sentencing.
In the plea agreement, the prosecution agreed to drop a money-laundering charge related to the counterfeit bills and to drop the receiving stolen property and possessing criminal tools charges stemming from a separate case on which he was jailed Dec. 2.
When inmates arrive at the jail, deputies routinely take whatever money they have and place it in their commissary account, refunding any unspent money when they leave the jail.
Jail Director Alki Santamas said deputies discussed possible federal counterfeit-bill charges with the U.S. Secret Service, which investigates counterfeiting, but the Secret Service recommended state charges instead of federal charges.
Sheriff Randall Wellington said that recommendation stemmed from the heavy workload facing the Secret Service.