California man sentenced to federal prison for passing counterfeit currency

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) – A San Leandro, California man was sentenced to four months in federal prison and four months of home confinement for passing counterfeit currency.

According to court records, on March 4, 2021, Darnell Tate, 45, of San Leandro, passed and attempted to pass counterfeit $100 bills at Home Depot stores in the Treasure Valley. Tate first passed three counterfeit $100 bills at a Home Depot in Nampa. He then attempted to pass three more $100 counterfeit bills at a Home Depot in Meridian but was unsuccessful. He then succeeded in passing three counterfeit $100 bills at a Home Depot in Eagle. Police investigating these transactions located Tate that evening and found him in possession of approximately $10,000 in counterfeit bills.

Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also imposed three years of supervised release to follow the periods of incarceration and confinement. Tate pleaded guilty to the charge on November 8, 2021.

U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the U.S. Secret Service, Boise Police Department, Nampa Police Department, and the Eagle Police Department, which led to charges.