Monday, July 23, 2012

Las Vegas Couple, 1 Other, Arrested in Watford City on Counterfeiting Charges


Watford City police arrested a Las Vegas couple and a local resident for counterfeiting and other serious felony charges according to a statement released Friday.

Kasi Switzer, 18, and her boyfriend, Shawn Patton, 31, both of Las Vegas, were arrested July 14 for five separate offenses of counterfeiting, each a Class C felony. Patton, in addition, was also charged with carrying a concealed weapon, a Class A misdemeanor, for having  a switchblade knife in his possession at the time of his arrest.

Another person, Travis Linseth, 27, of Watford City, in whose house the couple occupied a bedroom, was arrested July 15 for five separate offenses of counterfeiting, each a Class C felony. In addition, he was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia methamphetamine, a Class C felony, possession of drug paraphernalia marijuana, a Class A misdemeanor, and ingesting a controlled substance, a Class A misdemeanor.

During a consent search of Linseth's residence, items such as a laser printer, different qualities of paper, rubber cement, aerosol sprays and other articles used in the manufacture of counterfeit bills were found in the bedroom occupied by the Las Vegas couple. Counterfeit currency in excess of $10,000 was also recovered, including some $20 bills along with $50 and $100 bills in the couple’s quarters.

Patton and Switzer remained in custody in the Williams County Jail. Linseth posted bond and was released from jail.

The counterfeiting case has also been forwarded to the U.S. Secret Service for possible federal prosecution.