Woman indicted on counterfeiting charges

FORT PIERCE — A federal grand jury has indicted a Vero Beach woman on counterfeiting charges for allegedly printing about $2,000 in fake U.S. currency.

Lachon Metrial Lewis, 40, of the 4500 block of 43rd Court, was arrested April 9 after authorities found $1,980 in phony money at her home, including two fake $20 bills and two fake $10 bills still on a printer screen.

According to a arrest affidavit filed Wednesday by a U.S. Secret Service agent, a confidential informant told authorities Lewis was printing fake money; and on April 8, the informant bought $70 in phony bills for the agent.

After the arrest, Lewis admitted making counterfeit money with several accomplices. She said her goal was to sell the phony bills for enough real currency to pay her rent and buy a bus ticket for her daughter.