The second person arrested in connection with counterfeit bills that were circulating in McDonald County is Gary Cook, 46, of Noel.
He was charged with a class D felony on Jan. 4 after a warrant for his arrest was issued. Cook is accused of manufacturing illegitimate bills.
In early January, Noel Marshal's Office warned that merchants in Lanagan, Pineville, Southwest City, Noel and Jane had started finding counterfeit bills in the tills.
Chief Deputy Lorie Howard announced deputies are trying to arrest James Eugene Watkins, also known as Jesse James, on a class D felony warrant.
They arrested Colette Irene Ickes, also known as Colette Irene Preston, 49, on Dec. 29 on suspicion of acting in concert with Watkins.
If anyone knows where to find Watkins, call the Noel Marshal's office at 417-475-6237 and ask for Chief Deputy Lorie Howard. Watkins has a long criminal history and is dangerous, Howard said, so do not approach him.
Most fake bills have been $20s, but there have also been a $10, a $50 and a $100, she said. She warned businesses to be on the lookout for all denominations. She has contacted the Secret Service, and an agent is coming next week to possibly begin a federal investigation.
The counterfeit money first came to Howard's attention when a resident came in to the marshal's office and said he had accepted some money for rent and noticed it wasn't real. That led Howard to go to each of the merchants in Noel to see if they had taken in any counterfeit bills over the holiday weekend, and they had.
Marshal Paul Gardner said businesses need to check the watermark and the security strip on bills to ensure that they are genuine. Merchants can also purchase counterfeit-detection pens which will indicate whether a bill is real.
General News on 01/19/2017