SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — A 27-year-old Summerside man was in court recently after he was caught trying to pass counterfeit bills at various Summerside businesses.
Travis E. Mehmoodi pleaded guilty to four counts of passing counterfeit bills, one count of possessing counterfeit bills and one count of possessing stolen property.
On July 17, Mehmoodi used a fake American $100 bill to pay for cigarettes, tubes and lottery tickets at the Needs convenience store on Granville Street.
The fake bill was discovered on July 18, and police were notified. They were able to identify and charge three individuals, including Mehmoodi, using surveillance footage from the store.
When police contacted Mehmoodi on July 19, he said he’d gotten the money when he sold a pair of shoes.
On Aug. 5, Mehmoodi used a fake $100 at the Lawtons Drugs store on Granville Street. The counterfeit was discovered after the fact, and police again identified Mehmoodi using video surveillance.
That same day, Mehmoodi tried to use a counterfeit $100 bill at the Bulk Barn, but the clerk at the store wouldn’t take it. Mehmoodi then tried shopping at Source for Sports but again was rejected.
Police arrested Mehmoodi and found 28 counterfeit $100 bills.
He was not the maker of the money.
Mehmoodi participated in the courtroom proceedings from the Provincial Correctional Centre in Charlottetown. He has a criminal record going back to 2012, which includes numerous instances of theft.
When asked if he had anything to say, Mehmoodi said he’d like to apologize for his actions.
“The last year I worked hard on stayin’ out of trouble after I got weekends. ... I know that’s not much to be proud of, but to me that’s the best I’ve done in the last 10 years.”
Mehmoodi then asked the judge for an ankle monitor instead of jail time. He said he’s triple bunked at the corrections facility and there are no supports for his mental health issues.
Judge Krista MacKay sentenced Mehmoodi to 75 days in jail. He has been in custody since Aug. 5 and received 42 days in enhanced credit for time served.
MacKay then ordered him to re-pay $132 to Lawtons and $136 to Needs as well as pay $1,100 in victim surcharges. He must also stay away from Lawtons, Needs, Source for Sports and Bulk Barn, all are on Granville Street in Summerside, and will be on probation for 18 months.
Alison Jenkins is a local journalism initiative reporter, a position funded by the federal government.
