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Highlands Today

Traffic Stop Yields Counterfeit Money

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By JOE SEELIG

Highlands Today

Published: August 8, 2008

JJuan Wilson

AVON PARK - No traffic stop is routine.

It was 10:45 p.m. Tuesday when police officer Adam Willis stopped a white Mercury traveling 57 mph in a 45 mph zone at U.S. 27 North and Kingdom Way.

Willis approached the car and contacted the driver, requested his driver's license, registration and proof of insurance. A search of the state and federal computer system revealed the driver was on probation and "must consent to a search of his vehicle and person," as a clause in his probation status.

The driver was patted down, and Willis asked the passengers to get out of the car. One passenger, Juan Jose Wilson, 26, of 2617 Dolphin Drive, Sebring, appeared very nervous, Willis noted.

Willis asked Wilson why he was so nervous. He said because he had "a blunt," slang for marijuana rolled in cigar paper. He set the blunt down on the car's console and got out.

Officer Alberto Perez patted Wilson down and in his waistband found a .25-caliber Phoenix handgun with the serial numbers obliterated. Wilson was handcuffed and searched for more illegal items, the report stated.

Police found $500 in counterfeit money in $5 bills, and $10 bills, stuffed inside a Latex glove in his clothing. Wilson told police he bought it at a discounted price and planned to sell it to someone else.

Wilson was booked into jail Wednesday on charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of forged bills and possession of not more than 20 grams of marijuana, and remained in Highlands County Jail in lieu of $31,000 bail Thursday.

The driver was issued a citation for speeding.

Joe Seelig can be reached at (863) 386-5834 or jseelig@highlandstoday.com

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