Racine police say a 21-year-old man used two $100 bills with “For Motion Picture Use Only” on them to purchase a designer belt from a private seller.
Jeremy Harris, of Racine, was charged Thursday in Racine County Circuit Court with one felony count of uttering a forgery and one misdemeanor count each of disorderly conduct and theft. If convicted of all charges, he faces up to 7-1/2 years in prison and/or up to $30,000 in fines.
According to the criminal complaint, a man told police Thursday that he arranged to sell a designer belt to Harris through Facebook and to meet at Giese Elementary School to complete the transaction. When the man arrived at the school, Harris had another man with him who Harris said was there to be sure the belt was authentic.
Police say Harris paid the man for the belt with two, $100 bills that had “For Motion Picture Use Only” on it and then fled the area. When officers responded to the area, the man described Harris to police and showed them his Facebook page.
Because Harris was known to police, they knew he was lying when they went to his home and he gave them his brother’s name, the complaint reads, and was taken into custody. At first Harris denied purchasing the belt with the fake money, but then tried to work out a deal with officers if he produced the belt for them.
Officers say Harris directed his brother to go in the house to get the belt, and it was returned to the man who was selling it. He identified Harris as the man who gave him the counterfeit bills, and additional witnesses also recognized Harris as the buyer.
Harris remains in the Racine County Jail on a $2,500 cash bond. He will next be in court July 20 for his preliminary hearing.