Man sentenced for using counterfeit money.

Obed Gaytan with his attorney, Doug Stevenson.

Man sentenced for using counterfeit money.

#MasonCountyCrime

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

LUDINGTON – A 31-year-old Scottville man was sentenced to a nine-month discretionary jail term in 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, July 23, for a felony conviction of uttering and publishing counterfeit bills or notes.

Obed Isaiah Gaytan, of 103 N. Reinberg Rd., pleaded guilty to the charge last May.

Judge Susan K. Sniegowski did not impose any up-front jail time, but warned Gaytan that if he doesn’t abide by the terms of his 18-month probation period, he will go to jail.

“I’m not going to impose it today, but I can later,” Judge Sniegowski said. “If there are any problems with probation, you will go to jail.”

Gaytan testified in May that he attempted to use a $100 counterfeit bill at the State Street EZ Mart and Wesco store in Scottville.

“I knew it was fake, but at the same time I was trying to buy something,” he testified. “I didn’t have any money at the time and was trying to purchase a soda.”

Gaytan said he ripped up the counterfeit bill shortly before he was arrested.

“It was more of an attempted passing of the counterfeit bill,” said his attorney Doug Stevenson.

Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola said it is Gaytan’s first felony conviction, but he has 13 prior misdemeanors.

Sentencing guidelines in the case are 0-9 months.

Gaytan received credit for 24 days served in jail.

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