Lexington police charge five for using counterfeit money, methamphetamine

Lexington police charged five people in two separate incidents Tuesday and Wednesday for using counterfeit money and for methamphetamine possession, officials said.

Police Chief Terrence Green said officers were dispatched to the Walmart located in the 5500 block of Sunset Boulevard Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. in response to a person attempting to use counterfeit money.

Green said when officers arrived, they located a subject who allegedly tried to use a counterfeit $20 bill at the Burger King located inside of the Walmart. Officers placed the suspect and two additional suspects in custody, all of whom were believed to be involved.

Upon further investigation, Green said officers located additional counterfeit money, a printer, paper, paper cuttings, methamphetamine and syringes in the suspects’ possession.

Green said Nicholas Paul Patazio, 29, of Columbia; Terri Michelle Watts, 30, of Camden; and Alfonse Steven Gibson, 22, of Lexington were charged with forgery, criminal conspiracy, possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in connection with the investigation.

Patazio was also charged with obtaining goods under false pretenses, Green said, and Gibson was served with an outstanding bench warrant for simple possession of marijuana.

Then on Wednesday, Green said officers were dispatched to the Target located in the 5100 block of Sunset Boulevard at 2 p.m., where two people attempted to pass counterfeit $20 bills. Officers located the suspects at a nearby business and took them into custody.

Upon further investigation, Green said officers found additional counterfeit money, two printers, paper, paper cuttings, methamphetamine and syringes in the suspects’ possession.

Green said Thomas F. Adkins, 31, of Swansea, and Ronald Larry Woodle, 42, of Pelion, were charged with forgery, criminal conspiracy, obtaining goods under false pretenses, possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

This story was originally published February 11, 2016 at 11:31 AM with the headline "Lexington police charge five for using counterfeit money, methamphetamine."