By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
A Hays man was arrested after allegedly passing a counterfeit $100 bill, leading police to allegedly discover drugs during the investigation.
Hays Deputy Police Chief Tim Greenwood said 29-year-old Victor Allen Wente allegedly passed a counterfeit $100 bill marked "motion picture use only" at a liquor store on May 17 in the 700 block of Vine Street.
Greenwood said surveillance video from the store and information from the suspect's employer helped officers identify Wente. When officers contacted Wente at his residence, they allegedly observed another counterfeit bill in plain view.
Greenwood said Wente allegedly initially consented to a search but later withdrew that consent after officers allegedly found methamphetamine on his person. Greenwood said officers then obtained a search warrant and allegedly located additional methamphetamine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and more counterfeit bills.
Wente was arrested that same day.
Greenwood said the case was later linked to a second incident on May 26 when Walmart reported receiving a counterfeit $100 bill. The bill was traced back to a customer who said he allegedly received it as payment for giving Wente a tattoo.
Greenwood said the bill allegedly matched the counterfeit currency found during the earlier investigation. Wente was charged with alleged possession of narcotics, possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia, distributing counterfeit currency and possession of marijuana.
Greenwood said at least four counterfeit $100 bills were allegedly linked to Wente and directly accounted for during the investigation.
Greenwood said there is no indication that additional counterfeit currency is circulating in the community. He said businesses should closely inspect $100 bills and contact the Hays Police Department if they identify one bearing the phrase "motion picture use only."