Sevierville Police Look for Local Victims of Alleged Counterfeiters

After arresting two South Carolina men in on Sunday for allegedly passing counterfeit $100 bills, Sevierville police are searching for more victims.

The Sevierville Police Department has released the following suspect photos and asked that anyone in the area who believes they may have received counterfeit bills from either of the suspects to call police.

Keneyata Juan Linder – Source: Sevierville Police Department

Marquel Henry Scott – Source: Sevierville Police Department

At approximately 1:45 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014, Sevierville Police Department (SPD) officers responded to Advance Auto Parts, 2509 Winfield Dunn Parkway in response to a counterfeit money complaint. According to SPD Officer Graham Brantley, an Advance Auto Parts employee stated that two men had used what appeared to be a counterfeit $100 bill to purchase two items totaling $13.58. The employee described the vehicle as a white Buick Regal and was able to provide the vehicle license plate number.

A short time later, SPD Officer Kevin Stone located the suspect vehicle at Lowes, 610 Winfield Dunn Parkway. The vehicle was occupied by one of the suspects, 21-year old Marquel Henry Scott of South Carolina. Officers then made contact with an employee at Lowes who reported that two men with the same description as the Advance Auto Parts suspects had used what appeared to be counterfeit $100 bills to make purchases moments earlier.

A search for the second suspect led officers to an area near Zaxby’s, 698 Winfield Dunn Parkway. The suspect fled on foot as officers approached, running into the CVS Pharmacy at 718 Winfield Dunn Parkway. A search of the business led to the apprehension of 22-year old Keneyata Juan Linder of South Carolina, who was found in an employee break-room hiding behind a box of toilet paper.

Mr. Scott and Mr. Linder were subsequently transported to the Sevier County Jail and charged with criminal simulation. Mr. Linder was also charged with evading arrest burglary (burglary charge in relation to entering the employee-only area inside CVS). Additional charges are pending.

Detective Kevin Bush with the Sevierville Police Department Criminal Investigation Division, and Special Agents with the United States Secret Service are collecting and verifying all counterfeit transactions the suspects committed in the Eastern District of Tennessee. Please review the pictures and if you believe you and your business are victims please call Detective Kevin Bush with the Sevierville Police Department at (865) 868-1748.

All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.