Alexandria man sentenced for counterfeiting

The second of three men allegedly involved in a counterfeiting ring has been sentenced in Wadena County District Court.

Tyler John Marshall, 20, who had addresses listed in court records as Parkers Prairie and Alexandria, entered a guilty plea and was sentenced to 20 years probation and reimbursement of $1,500 in prosecution costs on a felony charge of counterfeiting of currency – manufacturing, printing.

A second charge of counterfeiting of currency – means for false reproduction – was dismissed at sentencing. Court documents said Marshall, along with Jackson Derek Berglund, 20, of Alexandria, and Derek Joseph Fredrickson, 20, of McGregor, became intrigued when they made a copy of Marshall’s driver’s license.

“At that time, the three individuals remarked about the clarity of the photocopied driver’s license,” court records said.

Berglund then experimented with a $10 bill on the photocopier, and “they were surprised at the quality of the image of the bill.” Soon, the group was looking up the physical composition of the paper used to print U.S. currency on the Internet, shopping in Brainerd/Baxter for resume paper that most closely matched that composition, and making templates to cut the bills.

The operation was out of an apartment on Airview Drive in Staples during early 2007. The bills were allegedly passed in Wadena, Alexandria, Parkers Prairie and Staples.

One of the fake $10 bills was used at the Douglas County Courthouse to pay a fine.

Police executed a search warrant April 24, 2007, and broke up the operation. Marshall’s sentence was for probation but no jail time. The felony offenses carried maximum penalties of 20 years in prison and/or a $100,000 fine.

Berglund was sentenced March 25 after taking the stand February 5 and admitting guilt. He was also sentenced to 20 years probation and $1,500 in fees.

Fredrickson’s next scheduled court appearance is set for October 2 for a contested omnibus hearing.

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The Wadena Pioneer Journal and the Echo Press are both owned by Forum Communications Company.

Tags: alexandria, counterfeiting, sentenced