Trespassing Suspect Tried to Pay Bail With Counterfeit Bills

The judge noticed the bills looked off and used a counterfeit-detection pen to confirm they were fake.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 8:30pm

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A trespassing suspect in Chesterfield County, South Carolina, who was given the opportunity to post $250 bail, allegedly tried to pay with four counterfeit $100 bills, telling the judge he could "keep the change." The judge declined the offer, noticed the bills looked off, and used a counterfeit-detection pen to confirm the money was not real. The suspect, Alexander, was then charged with felony forgery and misdemeanor contempt of court, and his bond jumped to more than $6,000.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the challenges law enforcement and courts face in dealing with suspects who attempt to circumvent the legal system, as well as the importance of vigilance in detecting counterfeit currency to maintain the integrity of the judicial process.

The details

According to the police report, when Chesterfield County Magistrate John Davis declined Alexander's offer to pay bail with the counterfeit bills, he flipped the bills over and saw Chinese characters printed on the back. A detention officer then used a counterfeit-detection pen, which confirmed the money was not real. Instead of being released, Alexander was charged with felony forgery and misdemeanor contempt of court, and his bond was set at over $6,000.

  • Alexander was initially arrested on Saturday.
  • The incident occurred on Monday, when he tried to post bail.

The players

Chesterfield County Magistrate John Davis

The judge who declined Alexander's offer to pay bail with counterfeit bills and discovered the money was fake.

Alexander

The trespassing suspect who allegedly tried to pay his $250 bail with four counterfeit $100 bills.

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What’s next

The judge will determine whether to allow Alexander to be released on bail or remain jailed until his trial.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of vigilance in the judicial system to detect and prevent attempts to circumvent the legal process, as well as the need for continued efforts to combat the use of counterfeit currency.