Cops say counterfeiter's bills all had same serial number

A Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper found $5,500 worth of $100 bills, all with the same serial number, in the possession of an Illinois man during a traffic stop Saturday, according to a probable-cause statement.

The Scott County prosecuting attorney’s office charged Ladell Eaton, 25, of Bellwood, Illinois, with felony counterfeiting. Eaton’s bond was set at $15,000, cash or surety.

Trooper Taremba Karizamimba pulled over a black Toyota Camry driving 17 miles over the speed limit south on Interstate 57, according to the statement.

Karizamimba noticed a smell of marijuana in the vehicle, and Eaton admitted he had been smoking marijuana about two hours before, according to the statement. Karizamimba then conducted a search and found the money, which Eaton said was part of the money he had received from a vehicle sale, Karizamimba wrote. Eaton was then arrested and transferred to the Scott County Jail, Karizamimba wrote.

Counterfeit bills have been reported six times in Cape Girardeau since June 17 — July 15 at the Quick N Save at 2861 Themis St.; July 13 at Regions Bank at 101 S. Mount Auburn Road; July 13 at Kohl’s at 315 Shirley Drive; twice on July 9 at undisclosed locations; and June 17 at Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market at 2021 Independence St. — according to Cape Girardeau Police Department summaries. Cape Girardeau public information officer Richard McCall did not know whether those cases were related to Eaton.

bkleine@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3644

Pertinent address:

2861 Themis St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.

101 S. Mount Auburn Road, Cape Girardeau, Mo.

315 Shirley Drive, Cape Girardeau, Mo.

2021 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.