Chicago man sentenced to over 7 years in federal prison for making, using $92K in fake $100 bills

CHICAGO — A Chicago man will spend more than seven years in federal prison for manufacturing and using counterfeit $100 bills.

28-year-old Marquise Shores, who pleaded guilty to a federal counterfeiting charge last year, was sentenced to seven years and three months, Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois announced.

Prosecutors said Shores used chemicals and a printer to manufacture around $92,000 in counterfeit $100 bills in his Chicago residence.

Shores then recruited young women, including girls as young as 16, using Facebook Messenger and had them use the counterfeit cash at retail stores while he waited outside. Shores then told the women to return the merchandise for genuine cash and kept most of the proceeds.

“Marquise Shores manufactured counterfeit currency and used it to defraud local businesses and enrich himself, Pasqual said.  “Our office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute counterfeiters and ensure the integrity of our economy.”

Shores’ sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall on Wednesday.

Authorities did not provide a booking photo for Shores.