Two Trenton residents arrested in February after being caught with hundreds of dollars in counterfeit money have been indicted by a Hunterdon County grand jury, Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns, III said.
FLEMINGTON- Two Trenton residents arrested in February after being caught with hundreds of dollars in counterfeit money have been indicted by a Hunterdon County grand jury, County Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns, III said.
Michael R. Owens, 24, and Iziera D. Johnson, 18, both of Trenton. (courtesy photo)Michael R. Owens, 24, and Iziera D. Johnson, 18, both of Trenton, were indicted on Thursday, Kearns said. They are scheduled to appear on April 17 for post indictment arraignment in Hunterdon County Superior Court.
Owens was indicted on fourth-degree charges of conspiracy to possess counterfeit currency and conspiracy to use counterfeit currency, according to court records. Johnson was indicted for fourth-degree possession of counterfeit currency and fourth-degree use of counterfeit currency.
They were arrested by State Police Trooper James Porch in February after he pulled over a Ford Explorer for a traffic violation in Flemington and found marijuana in the vehicle. Troopers found several hundred dollars in counterfeit money in Johnson's clothing during a search, it was previously reported.
Owens, police learned, had driven Johnson to a Walmart in Readington Township where she bought merchandise using the counterfeit currency, Kearns said in announcing the indictments.
Duo accused in 4-county counterfeiting operation
Detectives at the State Police Kingwood Station connected the pair to counterfeit money cases in Readington, Raritan, and Clinton townships, as well as other cases in Somerset, Mercer and Monmouth counties, it was previously reported.
Johnson had also been arrested in early February on similar charges after she allegedly passed phony $100 bills at two stores in Raritan Township, it was previously reported.