Delays continue in counterfeiting case

A Calgary woman’s counterfeiting case continues to be delayed while she seeks treatment in a detox centre.

Renee Frances Holden’s matters were adjourned Wednesday following a brief hearing in Lethbridge provincial court, where her Lethbridge lawyer explained the accused also faces charges in Calgary and her lawyer there is attempting to get her into a drug treatment program.

The case has been adjourned several times since last fall when Holden, 26, was first admitted into a detox centre. She is charged with multiple counts of making, passing and possessing counterfeit money, as well as two charges of possessing material for making counterfeit money.

Holden’s next court appearance on the Lethbridge charges is scheduled for July 25.

Police reported in August 2016 that there had been nine incidents involving individuals who visited various local businesses and spent counterfeit US $50 bills. With the help of a witness from one of the businesses, police apprehended the suspects in a parking lot off Highway 3 in the city after the vehicle in which they were travelling appeared to develop a problem.

One of the suspects, Jarrett James Hamilton of Lethbridge, was close to resolving his charges but his case was repeatedly adjourned after he failed to show up in court and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Hamilton was charged with several counts of possession of counterfeit money, possession of material for counterfeiting and using counterfeit money. He was released Aug. 25 on a $2,000 no-cash recognizance and ordered to attend court when required, report weekly to the Lethbridge Police Service, live at a specific address, and avoid any contact with Holden and another accused.

That person pleaded guilty in September to charges of making, passing and possession of counterfeit money, and was sentenced to eight months in jail.

Court was told during the man’s sentencing hearing that an acquaintance had shown him how to make fake money. He bought a printer and photocopied one side only of a US $50 bill, then spent the copies in some businesses, and attempted to spend them in others.

The Calgary man co-operated with police after he and two others were arrested. He even retraced his steps and told police everything he did. The scam, defence explained, was far from sophisticated.