Two arrested in counterfeiting probe

February 26, 2009

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. -- A counterfeiting investigation led to the arrests of two men this week, according to Berkeley County Magistrate Court records.

Shaun Ross Reynolds, 22, of 436 Morgan St. in Inwood, W.Va., was arraigned Thursday by Berkeley County Magistrate Harry L. Snow on one count of conspiracy to counterfeit currency, according to court records.

Joshua Wheeler, of 141 Tamarack St. in Martinsburg, was arraigned Wednesday night by Magistrate W. Randy Smith on three counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver (marijuana, heroin and Ecstasy), according to court records.

The Berkeley County Sheriff's Department investigation was prompted by a complaint received Feb. 18 from the Brick House Bar and Grill at 214 Mid-Atlantic Parkway near Martinsburg, according to a complaint by Sheriff's Department Lt. Gary Harmison.

An employee there told police a patron had passed six counterfeit $20 bills the weekend before, Harmison said.

After the business talked to the patron about the counterfeit money, the individual wrote a letter of apology and paid the business back with real money, Harmison said.

The patron later told investigators he received $300 in counterfeit bills from Wheeler for an Xbox video game system, Harmison said.

A search of Wheeler's residence Feb. 19 led to the discovery of 12.9 grams of marijuana, 13 blue/purple Ecstasy pills and two grams of suspected heroin near Wheeler's bed, according to court records.

After learning how Wheeler obtained the counterfeit bills, police on Wednesday had a confidential informant contact Reynolds and arrange a drug deal using the counterfeit money, Harmison said.

The deal, which involved 10 40-milligram OxyContin pills for $450 in counterfeit bills, happened Wednesday in the Inwood area after the money was made in Winchester, Va., Harmison said.

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