Hannibal Man Arrested For Counterfeit Bills

[Update] A warrant has been issued in the 10^th Judicial Circuit Court of Marion County, charging Eric J. Powell with the Class C Felony of Forgery. Powell’s bond was set at $50,000.00. Powell remains in the Marion County Jail.

[Original Story] The Hannibal Police Department has arrested 35-year-old Eric J. Powell, of Hannibal, on charges of Forgery. The June 10 arrest stems from an investigation into counterfeit $50.00 bills being passed at several Hannibal stores.

Powell was placed on a 24 hour hold at the Marion County Jail, pending warrants. The police department advises merchants to be alert when handling currency. We encourage them and anyone who handles cash, to visit the Secret Service website on how to detect counterfeit money. This site explains several ways to detect counterfeit bills, other than the detector pen commonly used.

In the recent incidents of counterfeit bills being passed, the counterfeit detector pen failed to detect the counterfeit bills. Additional methods of detecting counterfeit bills is knowing what to look for. Such as, on counterfeit bills, the borders, edges and portraits are blurred and indistinct. The Treasury Seals may have uneven, blunt or broken saw-tooth points. Real bills will have seals that are clear, distinct and sharp. These incidents remain under investigation and more arrest are pending.

A criminal charge is merely an allegation and the defendant is, of course, presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Press release from the Hannibal Police Department