4:47 p.m., Nov. 24, 2010----Newark Police have charged three men in connection with counterfeit currency being used at two Newark businesses recently.

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On Oct. 19, a person made a purchase with a counterfeit $20 bill at the Halloween Spirit store in the College Square Shopping Center. After the customer left, the employee realized the money was not legitimate.

On Nov. 16, a similarly described person tried to use a counterfeit $50 bill at the McDonalds restaurant on Main Street. When employees challenged the legitimacy of the bill, the customer began to argue but left the restaurant when management called the police.

Based on information from the stores' employees, including distinct visible tattoos, police focused the investigation on Larry Sexton, 31, of Newark. An arrest warrant was obtained, and police watched areas he was known to frequent.

Sexton was taken into custody Nov. 19 outside the McDonalds at the Harmony Plaza Shopping Center. When searched, three counterfeit $20 bills were found in his pocket.

At the time of the arrest, Sexton was accompanied by Jason Gallagher, 28, of Newark, and Jeffrey McCann, 30, of Smyrna. Police found six counterfeit $20 bills in Gallagher's pocket.

On Nov. 19, a search warrant was executed at a house on Betts Lane in New Castle, where Sexton was know to spend time. Police said the search resulted in the seizure of the equipment Sexton used to produce the counterfeit bills, including a computer, scanner and printer. Also found were an additional 148 counterfeit $20 bills.

According to police, the investigation revealed that McCann intentionally attempted to conceal Sexton's location from police, knowing that an arrest warrant had been obtained for him.

Sexton was charged with four counts of first degree forgery for possession of counterfeit money, one count of possession of forgery devices and one count of theft by false pretense. After an initial appearance of JP Court 11, he was held in default of $11,000 bail. Gallagher was charged with one count of first degree forgery and was released on an unsecured bond of $2,000. McCann was charged with hindering prosecution and was held in default of $4,000 bail.

Anyone who thinks they may have received counterfeit bills in the recent past should contact Cpl. Marc Di Francesco at (302) 366-7110, ext. 402 or by email at [marc.difreancesco@cj.state.de.us].