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Inmate Bobby Lee Tillman and alleged accomplice Janiyah Harvin-Lynn face multiple felonies after police uncover a detailed scheme to forge U.S. currency from prison
An inmate at Montgomery County jail has been charged with attempting to run a counterfeit U.S. currency operation while behind bars.
Bobby Lee Tillman, 29, and alleged accomplice Janiyah Nicole Harvin-Lynn, 21, of the 1800 block of North 77th Street, Philadelphia, have been charged by Montgomery County detectives with numerous felonies related to the scheme that occurred between February and April at the jail and at Harvin-Lynn’s residence, police said.
Investigators allege Tillman wanted to make counterfeit currency, so he could hire a private attorney and make bail.
Tillman is charged with four felony counts each of solicitation of forgery and conspiracy to commit forgery and criminal use of a communication device, according to court documents.
Harvin-Lynn is charged with two felony counts of conspiracy to commit forgery and criminal use of a communication device, and misdemeanor possessing an instrument of crime, according to court documents.
On Feb 13, a corrections officer monitored recorded phone calls made by Tillman to Harvin-Lynn, which he believed to be conversations on the manufacturing and distribution of counterfeit U.S. currency, per the affidavit. Police said suspicions were confirmed and an investigation began by authorities.
Between Feb. 11 and Feb. 17, Tillman allegedly made calls to Harvin-Lynn describing the process of making the counterfeit bills and the potential profit from the scheme.
On Feb. 21, an officer received information of possible contraband in Tillman’s cell, and investigators found several pieces of yellow lined paper with handwritten notes to “Janyah” or “Tinkabutt,” as well as a note with Harvin-Lynn’s name and address, both outlining how to counterfeit money, police allege.
The notes described in detail the process of “washing” lower denomination bills and reprinting them with a higher denomination, like $50 or $100 bills, police allege. Tillman allegedly explained to only reprint bills from 1998 or prior, because the currency did not have advanced security features like modern currency.
Tillman wrote that due to lack of security features, retailers would use a “money pen,” and since the bills are printed on “real money,” the bill would pass and “there is no way you could get in trouble,” per the affidavit.
The letter also had 12 bulleted, step-by-step instructions on what equipment and chemicals to use, and how to wash and reprint the currency, police said, including an Epson 4205 printer/copier, “Purple Power” cleaner, bleach, a soft-bristle toothbrush, and spray glue.
Investigators allege the notes were draft letters that Tillman finalized and mail to Harvin-Lynn. Furthermore, investigators traced two phone numbers that Tillman allegedly called to Harvin-Lynn.
Using screenshots of a video visit made by Tillman allegedly showed Harvin-Lynn showing the prisoner various $50 and $100 bills.
Investigators said Tillman used another inmates’ tablet and his own tablet to make the video calls to Harvin-Lynn, in which she allegedly shows off the counterfeited money.
On April 4, investigators conducted a search warrant on Harvin-Lynn’s home, and allegedly found her in her bedroom attempting to destroy items which were partially wrapped in aluminum foil.
Police seized an Epson XP-4205 scanner/printer, five bleached $1 bills, two counterfeit $50 bills printed on a $1 bill, Elmer’s brand spray glue, white copy paper with numerous photocopied $50 bills, two packs of soft-bristle toothbrushes, and three handwritten letters from Tillman to Harvin-Lynn, authorities allege in the complaint.
Bail was set at $250,077 cash, which include a parole/probation detainer, for Tillman, according to court records. Harvin-Lynn’s bail was set at $10,000 unsecured, per court records.
Both defendants have a preliminary hearing together on April 29 at 11 a.m. before Magisterial District Judge Cathleen Kelly Rebar.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
