United States Attorney's Office for the District of South Dakota

01/22/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/22/2025 13:52

Three Men Sentenced to Federal Prison for Their Roles in a Counterfeit Money Scheme

Press Release

Three Men Sentenced to Federal Prison for Their Roles in a Counterfeit Money Scheme

Wednesday, January 22, 2025
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of South Dakota

PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Court Judge Eric C. Schulte has sentenced three South Dakota men convicted of crimes related to a counterfeit currency operation. The sentencings took place on January 13, 2025.

Sonny Chao, age 36, of Oacoma, South Dakota, was sentenced to seven and a half years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Anthony Martinez, age 24, of Chamberlain, South Dakota, was sentenced to one month in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Gino Martinez, age 21, of Chamberlain, South Dakota, was sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

All three defendants were ordered to pay $7,500 in restitution to the victims of this matter. The restitution was ordered to be paid jointly and severally.

The defendants were indicted by a federal grand jury in June 2024. Chao pleaded guilty to Possession of Electronic Image for Counterfeiting Obligations or Securities and Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm on October 16, 2024. Anthony Martinez pleaded guilty to two counts of Passing Counterfeit U.S. Currency on October 17, 2024. Gino Martinez pleaded guilty to one count of Passing Counterfeit U.S. Currency on October 15, 2024.

These convictions stemmed from Chao using electronic images on his computer to create counterfeit $100.00 Federal Reserve Notes that were passed at various businesses throughout central South Dakota between November 28, 2023, and March 17, 2024. Chao would soak genuine $1.00 Federal Reserve Notes in a solution that removed the ink and print the image of a $100.00 Federal Reserve Note on the blank genuine paper. Anthony and Gino Martinez assisted Chao by passing the counterfeit currency at a number of businesses. During the execution of a search warrant at Chao's residence, law enforcement located two firearms in Chao's bed. Chao was prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior felony convictions.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, FBI, South Dakota Highway Patrol, South Dakota Fusion Center, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Chamberlain Police Department, Lyman County Sheriff's Office, Brule County Sheriff's Office, Jerauld County Sheriff's Office, Winner Police Department, Mitchell Police Department, and the Pierre Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Wayne Venhuizen prosecuted the case.

Chao and Anthony Martinez were immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

Updated January 22, 2025