Counterfeit suspect pleads to printing bills

Star Tribune

Last update: July 22, 2008 - 11:26 PM

A St. Paul man who once told investigators that he was "an artist" in counterfeiting pleaded guilty in federal court Monday to making fake money.

Brandon Etimoni Olynick, 36, was the last of four defendants to plead guilty to conspiracy to counterfeit U.S. currency. The other three defendants -- Charles Thomas Ogdahl, 38; Nathan Hale Reusch, 32, and Michael Duane Tucker, 56 -- pleaded guilty last week.

According to their plea agreements, the four agreed to make counterfeit money from October 2004 through the present. Each admitted to making $10,000 to $30,000 in fake cash.

Olynick, Ogdahl and Tucker each admitted that they used computers and peripheral equipment to make the counterfeit money. Olynick also said he altered genuine money. Reusch admitted that he possessed materials used to assist in the operation, specifically obtaining paper to use.

According to court papers, Olynick was the primary focus of the investigation.

U.S. District Judge Ann Montgomery will sentence the four at later dates.

JAMES WALSH

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