An Atlantic Ville resident was yesterday charged with forgery, after he was allegedly caught attempting to buy a bottle of tonic with fake US currency.
The Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court, which is temporarily sitting at the Better Hope Community Centre heard that Paris Jarvis, 22, of 24 Atlantic Ville, East Coast Demerara, allegedly with intent to defraud, offered a forged US$50, to a cashier on February 1, at Mon Repos, knowing it to be false. It is also alleged that while at the Beterverwagting Police Station, he had in his possession a forged US$100.
Jarvis, a security guard by profession, pleaded not guilty to both of the charges that were read to him by Magistrate Zamilla Ally-Seepaul.
According to police prosecutors David Goodridge and Shevon Jupiter, on the day in question, Jarvis went into a well-known health care store at Mon Repos and called for a bottle of Nutrophos. He then gave the US currency to the cashier who scrutinized the money. When she realized that the money was fake she quickly summoned the police and Jarvis was subsequently arrested.
Jarvis remained silent in court, as the magistrate questioned the prosecution on whether the defendant knew the currency was fake and if the police had investigated to determine whether there was more of the currency at the defendant’s house. The prosecutors were unable to say whether Jarvis had knowledge that the notes were fake or if further investigations were carried out by the police.
Magistrate Ally-Seepaul, granted Jarvis $20,000 bail on each of the charges. He is expected to make a second appearance in court on March 17.
