Three in Southeast Missouri counterfeiting case stand trial today

Three of the five people authorities say are behind the counterfeiting ring that struck locations throughout Southeast Missouri in October will stand trial in federal court this morning.

Jessica Gross, Darius Robinson and Brynet Trice are accused of manufacturing and using fake $10, $20 and $50 bills at businesses in Cape Girardeau, Dexter, Sikeston and Poplar Bluff in early October. Two other suspects allegedly involved in the ring, Terry Hester and Darius Lankford, were recently brought into custody and have yet to be arraigned. They will make their first court appearance Feb. 29.

Robinson, 22, and Hester, 27, are accused of publishing and using fake $20 bills at Champs, a clothing store at West Park Mall in Cape Girardeau, on Oct. 5. Robinson is also charged with publishing and using fake $20 bills at Finish Line in West Park Mall the same day.

Trice, 19, Hester, Gross, 25, and Lankford, 28, are all charged with publishing and using fake $10 bills at a Walmart in Poplar Bluff on Oct. 6. Trice, Hester and Lankford are charged with publishing and using fake $20 bills at Goody's clothing store in Sikeston, a Save-A-Lot grocery store in Dexter and a Buffalo Wild Wings in Sikeston on Oct. 6.

Gross is also accused of trying to pass fake $50 bills at JD's Quick Stop convenience store in Poplar Bluff.

Documents indicate that the prosecution may use the fake bills, merchandise receipts, surveillance video of Trice at Walmart and Save-A-Lot and recorded interviews Trice did with an investigator Oct. 11 and Nov. 4 as evidence against her.

In its case against Robinson, the prosecution notes that it has the fake bills, surveillance videos of Robinson allegedly trying to pass bills at China Star in Cape Girardeau and Hibbett Sports in Sikeston, Air Jordan shoes Robinson allegedly purchased with fake bills and an interview Robinson did with an investigator Nov. 4.

The prosecution may use the fake bills, surveillance video footage of Gross at Walmart and JD's Quick Stop, merchandise receipts and a recorded interview Gross did with an investigator Nov. 30 as evidence against her, according to court documents.

Trice, Robinson and Gross all waived their pretrial motions, indicating that they do not object to the evidence the prosecution has against them.

Robinson is represented by attorney Scott Tilsen, who has declined to comment on the case, while Trice is represented by Rebecca Reed, who has also declined to comment. Patrick McMenamin, Gross' attorney, has also declined to comment on the case.

Pertinent address:

499 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, MO

3049 William St. Cape Girardeau, MO

912 W. Business US Highway 60, Dexter, MO

333 S. Westwood Blvd., Poplar Bluff, MO

1209 S. Main St., Sikeston, MO

231 N. Main St., Sikeston, MO

1529 N. Main St., Poplar Bluff, MO