Florida Cops Bust 3 Adults Accused of Giving Kids Counterfeit Money to Spend
A Polk County investigation into a series of counterfeit purchases has led to the arrest of three adults accused of giving fake money to children and sending them into stores to buy items. Deputies began looking into the case on December 6 after two Lakeland businesses in the same south-side shopping plaza reported receiving counterfeit $20 bills.
Counterfeit Bills Reported at Lakeland Businesses
A witness spotted the suspected vehicle, a gray Kia SUV, helping investigators identify 32-year-old Jean Armand of Tampa. Armand was later arrested. During questioning, he told detectives he received the counterfeit cash from friends in Mulberry: 25-year-old Quinece Staton-Langley and 24-year-old Beyonce Bettyce Staton.
Deputies Stop Suspect Vehicle in Bartow
On December 7, deputies located the gray Kia at US 98 and Lyle Parkway in Bartow. Inside were Staton, Staton-Langley, and two children. According to the sheriff’s office, one child had a counterfeit $20 bill and a receipt from a Mulberry Taco Bell.
Staton had $400 in small bills, while Staton-Langley had $100, deputies said. Investigators also learned that a child matching the same description used fake $20 bills earlier that day at a Dollar General, a pizza restaurant, and the Mulberry Taco Bell.
Children Say They Were Told to Make Purchases
During interviews, deputies said one of the children reported that Staton and Staton-Langley gave the kids $20 bills and told them to “go into stores, buy something, and bring the change back.”
Both women denied the accusations, claiming they were visiting businesses looking for jobs.
Three Adults Face Multiple Charges
Staton and Staton-Langley were arrested on charges including scheme to defraud, petit theft, uttering forged bills, conspiracy to commit fraud, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.Armand was charged with scheme to defraud, petit theft, and uttering forged bills. He is also being held on a Hillsborough County warrant for failure to appear on vehicle-related charges.
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Gallery Credit: Charlotte Barnett