Peru Man Sentenced in Federal Court for Counterfeiting

A 27-year-old citizen of Peru was sentenced Wednesday by United States District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 364 days in Federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for passing counterfeit U.S. currency, U.S. Attorney David B. Fein announced.

Arturo Ramirez, who last lived on Linden, N.J., also known Arturo Mendez, pleaded guilty in July  to one count of passing and uttering obligations of the United States.

 According to court documents and statements made in court, between September 20 and September 24, 2009, Ramirez and others traveled from New Jersey and passed approximately 132 counterfeit $100 bills at approximately 126 retail stores in Connecticut.

 On September 24, 2009, Ramirez was arrested by Enfield Police after passing a counterfeit $100 bill at a restaurant in Enfield, officials said.  A subsequent search of hotel rooms and a rented vehicle used by Ramirez and his associates, and Ramirez’s New Jersey residence, revealed a large quantity of retail merchandise, receipts and other evidence related to the scheme, officials said.

Underhill on Wednesday ordered Ramirez to also pay restitution in the amount of $13,200 to the victim retail establishments.