Local counterfeiter sent to Cottonwood

BONNERS FERRY — A 46-year old Boundary County might be spared up to four years in prison after pleading guilty to passing money he made at home.

Bill J. Mutter was charged with felony possession of a forged bank note January 24 after Shirley Elliott, owner of the Moyie Store, reported a customer possibly attempting to pass a forged $50 bill at the store. The person she accused told sheriffs deputies he’d been given the note by Mutter, who later admitted the fact during an interview with investigators.

A search of Mutter’s home turned up a scanner, computer and paper, but no forged notes, but Mutter admitted to having made and passed several notes throughout Boundary County, though court records do not indicate more fake money was tied to him.

Mutter was sentenced last week in District Court to two to four years in prison, with that sentence suspended and jurisdiction retained. In addition, he will pay $150 in restitution and $425.50 in court costs … hopefully with legitimate U.S. specie.