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Counterfeit bill operation shut down.

Oct 21, 2009 -

Charlotte County Sheriff's Economic Crimes Unit detectives arrested two people Tuesday and shut down a major counterfeiting operation in the Englewood area. A total of 238 felony charges were filed by ECU Detectives; bond was set at $297,500 each and both remain in the Charlotte County Jail this morning. The investigation began Oct. 13 with the arrest of David Kay Lawrence, 44, 12372 Bacchus Rd., Gulf Cove, on two felony charges of Possessing and Uttering Counterfeit Bills; he posted bond that day. On that date, an alert clerk at the Sunoco station, 1680 S. McCall Rd., Englewood, notified her manager who called the CCSO to report a man attempting to pass a fake $20 to purchase items. The clerk recognized him as the same man who passed a bogus $20 on Oct. 3 in the store which was caught on video. When deputies arrived they arrested Lawrence as he was leaving. The ECU detective's investigation led to a home at 10113 Edmonton Ave., Englewood, where the fake bills were being manufactured. Detectives notified the U.S. Secret Service and both agencies went to the home and met Kellie Kay Ordish, 30, who allowed them to search the house. Detectives seized an HP Printer, special paper, and various items used to make the fake bills. The front and back of the counterfeit bills were printed separately and then glued together. ECU Detectives report they confiscated 10 counterfeit $10 bills and nine $20 bills. A search of the garage located a large garbage bag with 73 counterfeit $20 bills, and 25 counterfeit $10 bills in various stages of production. Detectives say the couple had been printing the bogus bills and passing them at multiple businesses in Charlotte and Sarasota counties. Upon completing their investigation, ECU detectives arrested Lawrence and Ordish and transported them to the Charlotte County Jail. Both are charged with 117 felony counts each for Forging Bank Bills, one count of Possessing Forged Bills, and one count of Making/Possessing Instruments for Forging Bills.

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