News Release from: Clackamas Co. Sheriff's Office

CCITF arrests suspected counterfeiters in Milwaukie

Posted: Feb. 5th, 2010, 9:58 a.m.

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On Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010, members of the Clackamas County Inter-agency Task Force (CCITF) arrested both Lonnie Lee Thompson, age 73, and his grandson Eric Steven Thompson, age 25, at their family residence, located at 11706 SE Fuller Rd. in Milwaukie.

Clackamas County law-enforcement officials had received numerous reports of counterfeit U.S Currency being circulated throughout all portions of the county. After monitoring this flurry of reported counterfeiting activity, CCITF members responded to an investigative lead on Thursday -- and obtained a search warrant for this residence, resulting in the arrests of occupants Lonnie Thompson and grandson Eric Thompson.

Task Force agents worked Thursday (Feb. 4) throughout the day and early evening, securing and executing the search warrant on the SE Fuller Road residence. The Secret Service was alerted to the investigation, and is presently monitoring the progress of the CCITF's investigation while conferring with federal prosecutors for future consideration.

A CCITF supervising sergeant reports that the investigative effort has been very successful -- resulting in seized boxes and bags full of counterfeit money as evidence in addition to the two arrests. CCITF investigators report counting and seizing an estimated $7,400 in counterfeit currency during their search.

SUSPECTS

• Lonnie L. Thompson, age 73, has an established criminal history dating back to 1954 in the state of California. Lonnie Thompson was arrested by CCITF agents on Thursday and lodged in the Clackamas County Jail on an existing arrest warrant of Failure to Appear -- Theft, as well as the new charge of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the First Degree. Bail is set at $2,500.
  
  
• Eric S. Thompson, age 25, also has an established criminal history and was arrested by CCITF agents on Thursday. Eric Thompson was lodged in the Clackamas County Jail with the charge of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the First Degree. His bail is set at $1,500.

Arraignment for both Lonnie and Eric Thompson is scheduled for Friday (Feb. 5) at 3 p.m. in Clackamas County Circuit Court in Oregon City.

[END]

Jim Strovink, Detective
Public Information Officer
Clackamas County Sheriff's Office