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Funny money ends up costing McCollum High student

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by Marvin Hurst / KENS 5

kens5.com

Posted on March 10, 2010 at 9:10 AM

Updated Wednesday, Mar 10 at 7:54 PM

A Harlandale School District high school student is paying for a real life lesson in crime and punishment. Jose Roberto Rodriguez was arrested Tuesday on forgery and counterfeit charges. It's alleged the 17-year-old was printing fake cash from the computer in his bedroom.

According to an arrest warrant, Harlandale officials became aware of the funny money when one of the suspect's friends tried to pass off a fake $10 bill in the cafeteria at McCollum High School. It reportedly happened on February 26. The warrant said the boy claimed Rodriguez gave him the phony $10.

The arrest document said investigators interviewed their suspect four days later. He allegedly confessed to manufacturing and giving his friend the counterfeit money. The teen also reportedly told police he had more fake cash at his home and the printer he used to make it.

According to investigators, they went to Rodriguez's home in the 1200 block of Drury, where they found the cash and computer equipment. The warrant said police found a $10, three $20s, and a $100 imitation C-note. They seized the equipment and the fake money.

Rodriguez is being held on a $5,000 bond. The teen also has an immigration hold on him.

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Comments: Displaying 1 - 5 of 5

dlongbeach said on March 10, 2010 at 6:24 PM

Nope. Sorry. Send him back to his own country at his expense. Done, done and done.

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sunrose said on March 10, 2010 at 4:55 PM

@swtnov, the fact is, this boy printed and passed, phony money and, since there is a "immigration hold", he's here illegally. Likely, so is his family. But they have jobs which apparently pay enough for them to afford computer and printing equipment. With unemployment at 9.7% overall, a story like this raises the ire of a lot of people - especially those out of work who may not be able to pay all their bills. This kid thought he could counterfeit. Maybe it was just a stupid kid trick - maybe it is an indication of this kid's general mindset. Either way, if he's here illegally, if his family is here illegally, they need to be sent back to their home country. It's going to cost taxpayer dollars to prosecute this boy. If this is one of those school districts that charges tuition for kids who aren't living legally within the boundaries, then this family has avoided those same costs. Again, taxpayers pay for something they shouldn't be. It's not fair to any families paying tuition.

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swtnov said on March 10, 2010 at 3:36 PM

I think all that are responding in a negative, esp the one with the "schools can't ask and neither can hospitals. that's why our schools and hospitals are going broke." is not educated on statistics nor about the education system. I say this to all that want to respond, "think about what you want to say and back it up with FACTS, because those that respond without FACTS sound ignorant.

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boppinsa said on March 10, 2010 at 1:04 PM

schools can't ask and neither can hospitals. that's why our schools and hospitals are going broke.

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apricot said on March 10, 2010 at 9:23 AM

An illegal attending school in Harlandale. I wonder how many more school district have em. And thery are attending in the open.

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