2 Arrested in Counterfeiting Scheme

ALEDO - Sheriff's investigators arrested two people Tuesday for allegedly running a fake money printing operation out of an Aledo home.

Gary Wayne Sides, 37, and Natalie Shae Griffin, 29, were arrested after investigators followed an anonymous tip to a house in the 1300 block of Gerry Drive.

There they found wads of fake cash totalling more than $2,400 -- if it had been real.

But the Parker County sheriff says the funny money wasn't up to governmental standards. The $100 and $20 bills were obviously fake when examined closely.

Still, some local businesses in Aledo, Fort Worth and Azle may have fallen for the bad bills, and more charges could be forthcoming for the suspects.

"I would advise the local citizens and business owners to keep a sharp eye out for such counterfeit transactions," said Parker County Sheriff Larry Fowler in a news release.

The Secret Service will be involved in the case, since they protect U.S. currency.