Teen charged with forgery alleges fake $100 bill was gift from a friend
A local teen was arrested late Tuesday after allegedly trying to pass a counterfeit $100 bill at a Hot Springs restaurant, which he later claimed was a New Year’s gift from a friend.
Terry Raymond Lewis, 18, who lists a Jasper Street address, was taken into custody shortly before 9:30 p.m. at Don Juan Mexican Bar and Grill, 1534 Malvern Ave., and charged with a felony count of second-degree forgery, punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Lewis, who lists no prior criminal history, was being held on a $3,500 bond and was set to appear Wednesday in Garland County District Court.
According to the probable cause affidavit, shortly before 9 p.m., Hot Springs police Officer Dawson Guzman responded to Don Juan’s regarding a possible fraud and spoke to staff who stated a customer, identified as Lewis, attempted to pay for a $107 meal using a counterfeit $100 bill.
Guzman examined the bill and noted it had “a wax texture” to it and Chinese symbols on both sides. The staff stated when they told Lewis the bill was fake he told them he didn’t have any other way of paying for the meal.
The restaurant management declined to press charges for theft of services, but Lewis was taken into custody on the forgery charge. Once at the detention center, Lewis was read his rights and agreed to give a statement.
He reportedly said he met a friend he knew only as “Brad” at Wade Street Park and they spoke briefly. Right before they “parted ways,” Lewis said “Brad” gave him the $100 bill and told him, “Happy New Year’s.”
Lewis said the bill was folded and he didn’t unfold it or look at it until he got to Don Juan’s where he gave the bill to the cashier to pay for his meal.