Johnson County
Sheriff's Office
Clarksville, Arkansas
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04/09/2009

Man Arrested After Paying Traffic Ticket With Counterfeit Money

A Granview, Missouri resident was arrested at the Johnson County Detention Center on Tuesday, April 7th when he tried to pay a traffic citation with counterfeit money.  Ricky Ward, age 53 was stopped on I-40 by Trooper David Smothers for Careless and Prohibited Driving and Driving Left of Center.  Trooper Smothers escorted Mr. Ward to the detention center to pay the citations.  While inside the detention center, Mr. Ward realized he did not have enough cash in his possession to pay the total bond.  He asked to be allowed to return to his car in the parking lot to retrieve more money.  He was escorted to his car by a detention officer and the officer saw Mr. Ward take an envelope from his visor and remove cash from it.  Once back inside the detention center, detention officer Stephanie Herring noticed the money looked strange and when she marked it with a pen to check it, the money turned out to be counterfeit.  Mr. Ward admitted knowing the money was counterfeit and now faces a felony Forgery charge in addition to his original traffic charges.  A total of 10 counterfeit $20.00 bills were found in Mr. Ward's possession.  Mr. Ward appeared before District Judge Len Bradley on Thursday, April 9th where his bond was set at $75,000.00 cash/commercial with an initial court date of May 1. The U.S. Secret Service was notified and assisted with the investigation.