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Kingsport Police Department
David Quillin, Chief of Police 200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660 |
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| NEWS RELEASE | |||
| SUBJECT: | Two Suspects Charged Following Spree of Transactions Using Fake $100 Bills | ||
| DATE: | October 31, 2019 | ||
| CASE #: | 19-024629
19-024635 19-024651 19-024674 19-024748 19-024794 19-024877 |
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| GENERAL NARRATIVE | |||
| Between October 19, 2019 and October 22, 2019, multiple victims filed complaints with the Kingsport Police Department regarding interactions with a pair of suspects (one male and one female) using fake $100 bills to complete a variety of transactions. The transactions included food deliveries from area restaurants and a series of exchanges facilitated via the LetGo online buying and selling application.
Upon further investigation by the K.P.D. Criminal Investigations Division, the two suspects were positively identified as Joseph Leslie Shupe and Wendy Shane Laugherty. Warrants were obtained charging them with the following: Joseph Leslie Shupe 1) Criminal Simulation (7 counts) 2) Theft of Property under $1,000 Wendy Shane Laugherty 1) Criminal Simulation (7 counts) 2) Theft of Property under $1,000 3) Criminal Impersonation On October 23, 2019, both suspects were arrested by K.P.D. Patrol Officers following a traffic stop. Citizens are encouraged to use caution when dealing in cash transactions with complete strangers, especially when using the aforementioned LetGo or similar online buying and selling applications such as FaceBook Yard Sale. Any bills that are marked with red Chinese lettering, or phrases such as “For Training Purposes Only” or “For Motion Picture Use Only” are not genuine United States Currency and have no value. A counterfeit bill detection pen can be purchased at any office supply store to assist with verification. If there is any doubt whatsoever as to the legitimacy of the bills someone is attempting to pay you with, DO NOT complete the transaction. The passing of fake money is considered Criminal Simulation, which is in fact a Class E Felony, and it will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. |
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| SUSPECT #1 INFORMATION | |
| Name | Joseph Leslie Shupe |
| Age | Date of Birth 3/8/1982
37 Years of Age |
| Gender/Race | Male/White |
| Residency | 1014 Gibson Mill Road
Kingsport, TN |
| Charge(s) | 1) Criminal Simulation (7 counts)
2) Theft of Property under $1,000 |
| SUSPECT #2 INFORMATION | |
| Name | Wendy Shane Laugherty |
| Age | Date of Birth 10/11/1983
36 Years of Age |
| Gender/Race | Female/White |
| Residency | 2320 Kendleworth Drive
Kingsport, TN |
| Charge(s) | 1) Criminal Simulation (7 counts)
2) Theft of Property under $1,000 3) Criminal Impersonation |
| RELEASING OFFICER | ||
| Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer
Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit 423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-224-2786 (FAX) ThomasMPatton |
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