Teen sent to jail for counterfeit money scam.

Jarod Smith with his attorney, Nicholas Lewis.

Teen sent to jail for counterfeit money scam.

#MasonCountyCrime

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

LUDINGTON — A 17-year-old Hamlin Township man was sentenced to serve 40 days up front of a one-year discretionary jail term for a felony conviction of publishing counterfeit money Tuesday, Aug. 7, in 51st Circuit Court.

Jarod Tyler Smith, of 4716 N. Beaune Rd., testified at a June court hearing that he exchanged counterfeit bills for real money totaling $200 at the Northside Market on West Bryant Road in Pere Marquette Township. Smith pleaded guilty to the charge.

Smith also pleaded guilty to marijuana possession, and testified that he was in possession of 2 grams of the drug.

He admitted to Judge Susan K. Sniegowski that he was trying to defraud the store by exchanging smaller counterfeit bills for larger bills.

Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola said that Smith was arrested Monday night, Aug. 6. “Last night, Mr. Smith was operating a vehicle while suspended and was past his 6 p.m. curfew.” It was his third curfew violation, Spaniola said.

In light of the recent arrest, Judge Sniegowski ordered 40 days up-front jail as opposed to 30 days, which was previously agreed upon. She also ordered that he continue his education as part of his probation terms. “If you don’t want to go to school, then you can sit in jail.”

“This crime of trying to print your own money is a very serious crime,” Judge Sniegowski said. “You just didn’t care,” the judge said regarding his curfew violation.

Spaniola said Smith has one prior felony and one misdemeanor conviction, along with a juvenile record.

“It appears to be more than a lack of maturity, it’s a lack of respect to the courts,” Spaniola said. “My sincere a advice to him is to grow up and to grow up quickly.”

“The violation last night was not a result of Mr. Smith thumbing his nose at the system,” said his attorney Nicholas Lewis. “He doesn’t understand how the system works.”

Smith was also ordered to pay $200 in restitution to Northside Market. He was given credit for 13 days served in jail.

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Tags: 51st Circuit Court, court news