STAFF REPORTS
ROCHESTER — Timothy Meacham, 32, of Rochester, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with fraudulently selling counterfeit coins. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 15 years prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Rossi, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, in May 2017, Meacham posted an ad on Craigslist advertising the sale of two genuine United States gold collector coins. The defendant used a false name and concealed his phone number in the ad in order to hide his identity. The victim, a Pennsylvania man, contacted Meacham and traveled to Rochester on May 15, 2017, at which time he purchased the counterfeit coins for $5,000.00 cash.
As part of the fraud, Meacham falsely represented that the coins were authentic and had been passed to Meacham from his deceased grandfather. The defendant also falsely represented that he needed to sell the coins in order to pay for funeral expenses related the unexpected death of a family member. Upon his return to Pennsylvania, the victim discovered that the coins were counterfeit and contacted the United States Secret Service in Rochester.
The defendant made an initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Marian W. Payson and was released on conditions.
The criminal complaint is the result of an investigation by the United States Secret Service, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Lewis Robinson.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
