On the morning of Tuesday, Aug. 28, deputies from the McDonald County Sheriff's Office and the Special Response Team executed a search warrant yielding $1,300 in counterfeit bills, drugs and a stolen firearm.
Joshua Erickson, 34, was arrested following the search of his property on Highway 90 in rural Noel. He was being held in McDonald County Jail in connection to charges of counterfeiting, possession of a forging instrument, receiving stolen property, possession of a controlled substance and unlawful use of a weapon.
According to a probable cause affidavit, detectives discovered a loaded 9mm semi-automatic handgun that was stolen out of Bella Vista, Ark., a loaded .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun, a .50 caliber black powder handgun and a bolt-action 20 gauge shotgun on the premises.
Counterfeit bills in the amount of $480, digital scales and plastic bags with "white crystal residue" were discovered in the home as well.
According to the probable cause affidavit, as members of MCSO were removing evidence from the residence, a red Ford truck, driven by James Santos, pulled into the driveway. SRT officers instructed Santos to exit the vehicle and proceeded to search it. Detectives discovered a computer printer in the back of the truck, in addition to a duffle bag containing two types of printing paper -- with a replica of U.S. currency copied onto one side -- and $500 in counterfeit money.
Approximately five minutes later, Erickson arrived on the property in a white Ford truck. Detectives located 3 grams of methamphetamine, a glass pipe and unused plastic bags on Erickson's person. While searching his vehicle, detectives discovered $300 in counterfeit bills and a box containing printing paper with a replica of U.S. currency copied onto one side, as well as sheets that had been printed on both sides and were ready to be cut.
A written statement from Santos states he visited Erickson's house on Monday, Aug. 27, to purchase methamphetamine. Santos said Erickson and another man asked him to take the printer and duffle bag overnight and return with it on Tuesday, Aug. 28, because Erickson "did not want it at his house, just in case the cops came."
McDonald County Sheriff Michael Hall said the U.S. Secret Service will be contacted due to the counterfeiting. Hall also said Noel PD is working a few instances of the counterfeit bills being passed in town.
General News on 09/12/2018