In November 2015, Tucson Police officers were advised of a pattern of counterfeit $100.00 bills being used at local retailers. Zebra Unit officers Jason Kerns and Clark Burnett began gathering information through their partnership with these retailers. They brought the information they discovered to the attention of the detectives within the Tucson Police Department Financial Crimes Unit who began an investigation in concert with the U.S. Secret Service.
During the course of the investigation, two individuals were positively identified as the ones passing the fake bills. They were identified as 19-year-old Cody Anderson and 21-year-old Joshua Blake. On February 17, 2016, a search warrant was obtained for their residence in the 1400 block of North Cloverland Avenue. Due to the knowledge that both subjects were regularly armed and had proven themselves dangerous, Tucson Police SWAT personnel served the warrant. Mr. Anderson was located inside the residence and arrested without incident.
The detectives from the Financial Crimes Unit conducted a search of the residence. They recovered a multitude of firearms, counterfeit currency consistent with what had already been passed, drugs (including cocaine, heroin and crystal methamphetamine) and drug paraphernalia.
A short time later, officers located Mr. Blake in the area of East Grant Road and North Craycroft Road and he was arrested. Officers recovered a firearm and over 40 counterfeit $100.00 bills from Mr. Blake.
Detectives learned the possible location of the manufacturer of the counterfeit currency. The detectives obtained and served a search warrant on an apartment in the 4800 block of East Pima Street. Ms. Krista Blanchard, a 34-year-old female, was located inside and ultimately arrested. Equipment used to manufacture counterfeit $100.00 bills was located, as well as cache of firearms.
The equipment and techniques used to produce the counterfeit bills were sophisticated. In addition, the operation produced bills that were likely used in jurisdictions outside the City of Tucson. The U.S. Secret Service is assisting in determining the extent of the counterfeit bill circulation.
Anderson, Blake and Blanchard were arrested and booked into the Pima County Jail on various felony charges. Additional charges may be added at a later date.
Cody Anderson
Fraud Schemes and Artifices – Class 2 Felony
Trafficking in Stolen Property – Class 2 Felony
Forgery (6 counts) – Class 5 Felony
Joshua Blake
Fraud Schemes and Artifices – Class 2 Felony
Trafficking in Stolen Property – Class 2 Felony
Aggravated Assault with a Firearm – Class 3 Felony
Forgery (5 counts) – Class 5 Felony
Krista Blanchard
Fraud Schemes and Artifices – Class 2 Felony
Forgery and Counterfeiting (4 counts) – Class 4 Felony
Possession of Forgery Device – Class 6 Felony