Two suspects identified in counterfeit money investigation

DICKINSON COUNTY — Over the past several months, we reported the use of counterfeit bills in the Iron Mountain and Kingsford area. Law enforcement agencies were investigating the situation and, according to a joint statement released by the Kingsford Public Safety Department, Iron Mountain Police Department and the Dickinson County Prosecutor’s Office, two suspects have now been identified.

Investigators say that the suspects were ordering fake money over the Internet and passing the money at local businesses in the Iron Mountain and Kingsford area. One of the suspects is from a foreign country and had overstayed his visa. He was turned over to the United States Border Patrol.

The other suspect, 22 year-old Amanda Jo Rose from Kingsford, was charged with using a computer to commit a crime, a felony punishable by up to 7 years in prison, and uttering and publishing a counterfeit bill or note, a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison.

Rose is set for a probable cause conference on April 5th and a preliminary examination on April 9th in the 95B District Court in Iron Mountain. Bond was set in the amount of $5,000 cash or surety.