HOUSTON (AP) - A Houston-area man has been sentenced to nearly 22 years in prison for passing almost $500,000 in fake cash.
A federal judge in Houston on Wednesday sentenced 35-year-old Synaca Thomas of Cypress.
Thomas in January pleaded guilty to conspiracy to make and possess counterfeit currency, plus illegal possession of a firearm by a felon.
Investigators say Thomas and his wife would take genuine $5 bills and reprint them to appear to be $100 bills.
Brittany Jordan earlier pleaded guilty to conspiracy to make counterfeit currency and passing counterfeit currency. The 26-year-woman is free on bond pending sentencing.
Prosecutors say the husband's punishment was enhanced because he attempted to smuggle contraband, which was disguised as candy, into a facility where he was being held.
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