2 plead guilty to counterfeit scheme
Two Philadelphia defendants pleaded guilty to possession with intent to spend counterfeit currency at the Pearl River Resort in March.
Christopher Nolan, 39, and Astra High, 43, both of Philadelphia, possessed with intent to spend counterfeit currency at the Dancing Rabbit Inn on March 9, the authorities said.
The duo pleaded guilty to the crime in U.S. District Court, U.S. Attorney Todd Gee and Special Agent in Charge Patrick Davis of the U.S. Secret Service announced on Wednesday, Oct. 2
High and Nolan had an accomplice identified as 25-year-old Bailey Gonzalez of Pascagoula. Nolan pleaded guilty on Sept. 12.
The three defendants are scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 4. Each faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service with assistance from the Choctaw Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin J. Payne and Brian K. Burns prosecuted the case.