Beware Of False Money
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Atoka Police Officers Jedediah Griffith and Cody Poe arrived at the Pilot Travel Center on Saturday, August 8, 2020, to investigate fake money being passed.
Officer Griffith made contact with a Pilot employee who was informed about a male suspect, identified as Marcus Lee Nowlin, 34, of Atoka, placing items in his pockets.
The employee told the officer that a female suspect, identified as Meagon Rachel Box, 34, of Atoka, had multiple items in her possession. Box left the store to check which fuel pump they intended to use and did not return with the items.
Nowlin attempted to pay for fuel with a $20 dollar bill that had “Motion Picture Purposes” written on the bill.
The employee refused to accept the bill, and noticed a large amount of the counterfeit money in Nowlin’s wallet. He attempted to pay once more with a fake bill. The employee told Nowlin they would not accept the counterfeit money.
Nowlin produced a real $20 bill to pay for fuel, an ice cream sandwich, and a bag of ice.
Officers located a silver Dodge at the fuel pumps with Nowlin in the driver’s seat and Box in the passenger’s seat.
Officer Griffith observed multiple unopened items including: two Luma gear flashlights, Cat flashlight, four shot glasses, ring phone holder, and gum laying in Nowlin and Box’s lap.
Nowlin was asked to exit the vehicle. He had watery bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and unable to control his body movements.
Box was asked if there was anything illegal in the vehicle. She advised the officers of a weapon located inside.
A Hi-Point JHP 45 ACP was located with a defaced serial number. The weapon had six rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber.
During an inventory of the vehicle officers located 31 counterfeit $20 bills with the same serial number; 128 counterfeit $20 bills with the same serial number; and digital scales. The total amount of counterfeit money was $3,240.00.
Officer Poe located a Ziploc bag with four pills identified as Alprazolam that Box claimed as hers.
The items stolen from the store totalled $76.30.
Nowlin refused to take the State’s blood test, stating, “I don’t really want to do it.” Box and Nowlin were transported to the Atoka County Jail.
Nowlin is charged with actual physical control of vehicle under the influence (felony); possession of a firearm after former felony conviction (felony); committing felony with firearm with defaced ID number (felony); forgery in second degree (misdemeanor); and larceny of merchandise from retailer (misdemeanor).
Box is charged with possession of forged notes or instruments (misdemeanor); larceny of merchandise from retailer (misdemeanor); possession of controlled dangerous substance (misdemeanor); transporting loaded firearm in motor vehicle (misdemeanor).
