Investigation led to search warrants, seizure of counterfeiting equipment at two residences

Attorney General Dan Rayfield announced today that a Yamhill County Grand Jury has indicted two people on multiple charges – accused of manufacturing and using counterfeit $100 bills to buy gift cards at Safeway Stores across Oregon.

“When counterfeiters flood the market with fake bills, it’s small businesses, already stretched thin by inflation and rising costs, that pay the price,” said Attorney General Rayfield. “Our partnerships with local law enforcement are keeping communities safe and holding scammers accountable.”

The case began when Safeway’s Organized Retail Crime team identified Mark Melendez and Heather Fawcett as the suspects. Safeway referred the case to the Oregon Department of Justice, which opened an investigation in partnership with the Yamhill County District Attorney’s Office, the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office, and Safeway Organized Retail Crime.

Investigators, led by Oregon DOJ Special Agent John Hallock, executed search warrants at the residences of both defendants. Agents seized chemicals, printers, and digital devices investigators say were used to produce counterfeit U.S. currency.

Melendez and Fawcett face multiple charges related to the manufacture and use of counterfeit currency. Charges are only accusations, and both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.