The Hardin County Sheriff’s Office and the Kenton Police Department have received several reports of counterfeit $20 bills circulating during the past two weeks.  

The Sheriff’s Office received a report of a red Mitsubishi occupied by two men and a woman in the area attempting to purchase Amish goods with the counterfeit $20 bills.  On April 25, the Union County Sheriff’s Office assisted The Hardin County Sheriff’s Office in surveilling the red Mitsubishi.  The vehicle was stopped near the intersection of CR 175 and Bales Rd.  

The vehicle was occupied by Taleah Dematteo, 24, of Rushslyvania, Austin Hart, 23, of Lancaster, and Kevin Minix, 29, of Ridgeway. Charges are pending on all three.

A search of the vehicle found a printer which was used in the manufacturing of the counterfeit $20 bills.  A search of a residence at in Milford Center discovered several dozen Amish brown eggs and a package of candy. 

Further investigations revealed the group had been manufacturing the counterfeit $20 bills and targeting local Amish businesses to purchase small items with the bills and receiving real money as change.