Four arrested in connection to multi-jurisdictional counterfeiting operation

New Kent County Sheriff’s Office has arrested and charged four individuals in connection to a multi-jurisdictional counterfeiting operation in which the accused individuals forged U.S. currency.

Jermaine O. Yancey, 42, of the 400 block of Valley Drive, Syracuse, New York; Anthony Tyrell Johnson-Opoku, 24, and Jamika Patrice Ellis, 22, both of 52 Swanson Parkway, Portsmouth; and Willonda Jamea Scott, 21, of the 1500 block of Mt. Vernon Avenue, Portsmouth, were taken into custody on June 2.

According to the arrest report, shortly after noon on the aforementioned date, New Kent Emergency Center received a call from West Point’s Police Department of possible counterfeiting in the area. Descriptions of two female suspects were provided as well as information on the possible suspects’ vehicle. At 1 p.m., it was discovered that two vehicles, including one belonging to the possible suspects, were traveling together and were located traveling westbound on Interstate 64 near the rest area. Officers from West Point’s Police Department, New Kent Sheriff’s Office, and the Virginia State Police initiated the stop. After an additional investigation, the four suspects were taken into custody and transported to Henrico Jail East.

Yancey is charged with four counts each of forgery of U.S. currency and possession of forged U.S. currency, as well as one charge each of conspiracy to forge U.S. currency and fleeing as a fugitive from the state of Maryland. Johnson-Opoku received four charges on forgery of U.S. currency, three charges of possession of forged currency, and one charge of conspiracy to forge U.S. currency. Scott received seven counts of possession of forged U.S. currency, and one count each of conspiracy to forge U.S. currency, possession of marijuana, and contempt of court in Portsmouth. Ellis was charged with one count each of forgery of U.S. currency and conspiracy to forge U.S. currency.

Yancey, Johnson-Opoku, and Scott were all being held without bond in Henrico Jail East, while Ellis was being held on a $2,000 secured bond. All four are expected to appear in New Kent General District Court on June 7. Charges are also pending in the town of West Point and King & Queen.