Maryland man sentenced to 32 months for using counterfeit cash in multi-state scheme

MARYLAND (WBFF) — A federal judge has sentenced a Maryland man to prison for orchestrating a counterfeit money scheme while already under court supervision, authorities said Thursday.

Jason Christian Evans, 51, of Dundalk, was sentenced to 32 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release, according to federal court records.

U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett handed down the sentence after Evans pleaded guilty to purchasing counterfeit U.S. currency and using it in retail transactions.

Prosecutors said Evans carried out the scheme shortly after completing a prior sentence for bank fraud.

On Jan. 30, 2025, he violated the terms of his supervised release by traveling from Maryland to Pennsylvania, where he used fake money to make purchases at least five grocery stores, including Giant Food and Weis Markets.

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Authorities arrested Evans on April 17 while executing a federal search warrant at his Dundalk home.

During the search, investigators recovered two cell phones, five computers — including an HP laptop — and counterfeit-detection pens.

According to court documents, Evans admitted to buying counterfeit currency online and using it at stores in Pennsylvania.

He told investigators he used his laptop to access a dark web marketplace known as “Abacus Market” to obtain the fake bills.

A forensic review of the laptop uncovered files containing instructions on how to make counterfeit money appear worn and authentic.

Investigators also found a video demonstrating techniques to evade detection by counterfeit-detection pens.