MILWAUKEE COUNTY (WITI) -- One of three people charged in connection with a case in which they're accused of printing counterfeit cash, bragging about it online and then using it to scam people in the Milwaukee area has been sentenced.
33-year-old Toya Dickerson of Milwaukee pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of theft by false representation, less than $2,500, as party to a crime.
In court on Monday, April 27th, Dickerson was sentenced to serve six months in the House of Correction with seven days credit. That sentence was stayed, and Dickerson was placed on probation for one year.
The two others charged in this case are 29-year-old Leslie McNeal of Milwaukee and 24-year-old Durand Townsend of Milwaukee. McNeal faces five felony counts of forgery - uttering, three counts of forgery and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon. Townsend faces three counts of forgery - uttering.
Townsend has a plea/sentencing hearing scheduled for April 30th.
U.S. Marshals say McNeal and Townsend searched Craigslist for their victims.
"They did this multiple times, at least six or seven," a U.S. Marshal told FOX6 News.
A criminal complaint says in September 2014, they came to the parking lot of the IHOP restaurant on Miller Park Way under the pretense of buying a laptop for $600.
"Once the person handed over the laptop, Mr. McNeal and Mr. Townsend handed over the money and the person said it felt, it felt fake, it felt funny," a U.S. Marshal told FOX6 News.
McNeal and Townsend, along with Toya Dickerson, face multiple counts of forgery.
A criminal complaint says they printed fake money and used it to buy speakers, a watch and computers. Investigators seized a bag of counterfeit bills from McNeal's home.
"They've been producing this money and ink and even some of the bills are only one sided, and they don't even feel like an actual bill, actual U.S. currency," a U.S. Marshal told FOX6 News.
In one case, the complaint says a victim tried to take his laptop back, and McNeal allegedly drove off -- dragging the man briefly alongside his car.
"They've done it together and separate," a U.S. Marshal told FOX6 News.
A search warrant says McNeal and Townsend posted pictures of themselves holding wads of counterfeit cash on Facebook.
Townsend was arrested on December 30th following a tip from a FOX6 viewer. McNeal remains at large.