FEDERAL JURY CONVICTS COUNTERFEITER

 

LUBBOCK, Texas — Following a one-day trial in Lubbock, Texas, a federal jury convicted Gary Don Robinson on all counts of a 33-count indictment charging conspiracy, uttering forged and counterfeited securities, and aiding and abetting, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper.  Robinson, a resident of Abilene, Texas, faces a maximum statutory sentence of 325 years in prison and millions of dollars in fines.  Following today’s verdict, U.S. District Judge Sam R. Cummings ordered a pre-sentence investigation with sentencing to be scheduled after that investigation.  Robinson, 54, is currently on bond.

Co-defendants Cynthia Watts and Deanda Crayton, both of Abilene, each pled guilty last month to the conspiracy charge and testified at Robinson’s trial.  They are each awaiting sentencing .

During trial, the government presented evidence that Robinson, conspired with Watts and Crayton to make, pass, and possess more than 32 counterfeited securities.  The government also presented evidence that the defendant and his co-conspirators passed more than 32 checks in the Abilene area by creating counterfeit payroll checks from two nonexistent businesses.  Robinson made, possessed or passed all the counterfeited securities, all containing a Citibank routing number, in Snyder, Balinger, Coleman, San Angelo, Eastland, Abilene, Big Springs, Knox City and Munday, Texas.

U.S. Attorney Roper praised the investigative efforts of the U.S. Secret Service and the Snyder, Knox City, and Abilene Police Departments.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann Cruce-Roberts is prosecuting the case.