Contact: Beth Stone (508) 584-8120
PLYMOUTH – A Rockland man has pleaded guilty to charges that he used counterfeit $100 bills at various Rockland businesses, Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz announced today. Derek Furkart, 46, of Rockland, pleaded guilty today in Plymouth Superior Court to seven counts each of Larceny by False Pretenses, Uttering False Bills and Possession of False Notes or Bills. Judge Cornelius Moriarty sentenced Furkart to serve 2 ½ years in the House of Correction to be followed by two years of Probation from and after, including mental health evaluations. The Commonwealth recommended Furkart serve 4-5 years in the House of Correction to be followed by three years of Probation. During the month of July, 2017, Rockland Police were made aware of several area businesses that had encountered counterfeit currency. A bank teller specialist at Rockland Trust Bank informed police that multiple counterfeit notes came into the bank through business deposits. The following businesses had counterfeit $100 bills passed to them: Mary Lou’s – one $100 bill Tedeschi’s – three $100 bills Mineiros Brazilian Steak House – two $100 bills Union Street Liquor Store – one $100 bill Dunkin’ Donuts – four $100 bills Union Street Convenience Store – one $100 bill AL Prime Gas – five $100 bills The investigation found that all of the counterfeit notes passed at each of the businesses were older series, 1981, and had the same serial number. Employees at each of the businesses reported that a man fitting the same description, a muscular white male, wearing a tank top, LA baseball cap and gym shorts, had come in, made a purchase and used a counterfeit $100 bill to pay. Additionally, in some situations, the man asked employees to make change for $100. In total, investigators determined that Furkart passed $1,700 in counterfeit $100 bills to the seven Rockland businesses. Through still images, surveillance video and witness interviews, Rockland Police were able to identify Furkart as the perpetrator and requested a warrant for his arrest on August 1, 2017. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Canan Yesilcimen and the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office and was investigated by Rockland Police with assistance from the United States Secret Service.