WATFORD CITY A Las Vegas, Nev., couple and a Watford City man were arrested by Watford City police in connection with counterfeiting incidents in Watford City.
According to a news release issued Friday by Watford City Police Chief Slade Herfindahl, Kasi Switzer, 18, and her boyfriend, Shawn Patton, 31, both of Las Vegas, were arrested July 14 for five separate offenses of counterfeiting, each a Class C felony.
Patton was also charged with carrying a concealed weapon, a Class A misdemeanor. It is alleged that Patton and Switzer manufactured the counterfeit bills and that Switzer put numerous counterfeit bills into circulation. It is also alleged that Patton had a switchblade knife in his possession at the time of his arrest.
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This is one of the counterfeit bills that Watford City police allege three people manufactured and put into circulation. The three allegedly involved in the case were arrested and charged in recent days.
Travis Linseth, 27, of Watford City, was arrested July 15 for five separate offenses of counterfeiting, each a Class C felony. It is alleged that the manufacturing of the counterfeit U.S. currency occurred in Linseth's residence, with his knowledge, and that he put into circulation numerous counterfeit bills. A consent search of a shed on Linseth's property led to the seizure of methamphetamine and marijuana-related drug paraphernalia. It is alleged that Linseth knowingly possessed methamphetamine paraphernalia, marijuana paraphernalia and had recently smoked methamphetamine and marijuana. Linseth was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia methamphetamine, a Class C felony, possession of drug paraphernalia marijuana, a Class A misdemeanor, and ingesting a controlled substance, a Class A misdemeanor.
A Class C felony carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a fine of $5,000, or both. A Class A misdemeanor carries a maximum penalty of up to one year in prison, a fine of $2,000, or both.
Starting the week of Monday, July 9, the Watford City Police Department responded to several counterfeiting complaints at local businesses and banks. Responding officers recovered numerous $100 and $50 bills of counterfeit U.S. currency. The appearance of the recovered counterfeit bills was similar and several had matching serial numbers. Through investigation, a woman later identified to be Kasi Switzer, 18, of Las Vegas, Nev., was suspected of passing counterfeit U.S. currency at a local business.
Police located and interviewed Switzer and Patton at Travis Linseth's residence in Watford City. During a consent search of Linseth's residence, items such as a laser printer, different qualities of paper, rubber cement, aerosol sprays and other articles used in the manufacture of counterfeit bills were found in the bedroom occupied by Patton and Switzer. Counterfeit U.S. currency in excess of $10,000 was also recovered, which included some $20 bills along with $50 and $100 bills.
Patton and Switzer remained in custody in the Williams County Jail in Williston Friday. Linseth posted bond and was released from custody.
The case has been forwarded to the U.S. Secret Service, the agency assisting the Watford City Police Department in the investigation due to potential federal prosecution of the case.