HARRISBURG — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle), published as received.
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Harvey Blake, age 57, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to 33 months in prison by United States District Court Judge John E. Jones, III, in Harrisburg, for passing $17,400 in counterfeit $100 bills in four central Pennsylvania counties between October 2014 and March 2015.
Judge Jones also ordered that Blake make restitution to the victims as follows: Lowe’s - $7,600; Home Depot - $9,000; Staples - $300; Wal-Mart - $300; and Giant - $300.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Blake was charged in a one count indictment in July 2015 with passing $17,400 in counterfeit $100 bills in Dauphin, Franklin, York and Cumberland Counties. The bills were used to purchase merchandise at Home Depot, Lowes and Walmart stores in the four counties. Blake pled guilty to the indictment in October 2015.
The case was investigated by the Harrisburg office of the United States Secret Service, and the police departments of Lower Paxton Township, Swatara Township, and Hampden Township, as well as the loss prevention personnel for the affected stores. Assistant United States Attorney William A. Behe prosecuted the case.
# # #
