Check Your Wallet

Press Release: Counterfeit Currency
Agency: Morongo Indian Reservation
Incident Date: January 26, 2012 Time: 4:27 PM
Incident Location: Morongo Casino, 49500 Seminole Dr., Cabazon

Details:

On Thursday, January 26, 2012, at about 4:27 P.M., a deputy assigned to the Morongo Indian Reservation was dispatched to the Morongo Casino & Spa Resort, located at 49500 Seminole Dr., Cabazon, regarding a subject attempting to pass counterfeit currency within the casino. Upon arrival, deputies contacted Casino Security staff and Movses Dermisyan, (22 years old from North Hollywood), who was being detained.

Initial investigation revealed Dermisyan was playing blackjack in the High Limit Room of the casino when he attempted to pass five $100 bills. The dealer, having been trained in counterfeit detection techniques, alerted security who then detained Dermisyan. Dermisyan claimed he only had the five $100 bills on him but a subsequent search of his person revealed an additional $2100 in fictitious bills.

Investigators from the Cabazon Station and special agents from the Secret Service responded to assist due to the unusually large volume and sophistication of the currency. The Secret Service advised the bills were part of a larger ongoing investigation and will be conducting additional investigation into the matter.

Dermisyan was arrested for 476 PC, Possession of Counterfeit Currency, 459 PC, Burglary, and 1203.2(a) PC, Violation of Probation, and booked at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility.

They don't say, but I'm sure the casino would tell you they enforce strict safeguards that would prevent the unintentional passing of counterfeit currency, but if the Secret Service says there's a larger ongoing investigation involving sophisticated counterfeiting of hundred-dollar bills, it couldn't hurt to double check the currency you're carrying.