Published: September 05, 2008 12:31 pm      

Two men arrested in Floyd County for passing counterfeit currency

Two men were arrested in Floyd County on Wednesday, accused by officers of trying to pass counterfeit currency into circulation.

James Wilard Hitner, 34, of New Albany, admitted to a Secret Service agent he manufactured $2,500 in fake currency at his home in the 4600 block of Quarry Road, according to court records.

Investigators seized a Hewlett Packard all-in-one printer, paper and razor blades they believe were used to make the currency. Investigators say Hitner told them some of the money was destroyed.

Hitner is charged with counterfeiting, a class D felony.

Douglas Weber, 25, of Jeffersonville was charged with conspiracy to commit counterfeiting, also a class-D felony, for trying to pass $1,000 of the currency.

Investigators say Weber went to Hitner’s home in mid-April to pick up the currency. They say he then sold the fake $1,000 to a man in Clarksville for $400 in genuine currency. Weber kept $100 and gave $300 to Hitner, according to documents.

Indiana State Police and the Secret Service began investigating after $500 in counterfeit currency was circulated at a business in Clarksville.

A warrant was issued in Floyd County Superior Court for their arrests Aug. 25, and they were booked-in and released Wednesday.

Bond was set at $20,000 court cash for both men, and each paid the required 10 percent to be released.

A class D felony is punishable by six months to three years in prison.