Charges filed against Carlton man in counterfeiting cases

• Aaron Miller

Aaron Miller

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Multiple charges have been filed in Sixth District Court against a man who was apprehended for passing counterfeit $20 bills in Cloquet and Carlton on Nov. 30, 2012.

Aaron David Miller, 26, of Carlton was charged in Carlton County Court Monday, Jan. 7, with one gross misdemeanor count of uttering or possessing counterfeit currency. Miller also faces two felony charges in St. Louis County, including one count of counterfeiting of currency and one count of escape from custody.

According to the complaint filed in Carlton County:

On Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012, Cloquet Police received a report from L&M Supply in Cloquet stating that an individual had passed 15 counterfeit $20 bills at the store. Officers responded and met with a store manager. They learned that a male customer used the counterfeit bills on Nov. 30 in exchange for several different items. The next morning one of the managers noticed the bills had a slightly different feel to them than regular bills. He then used a special color-changing marking pen on the bills designed to determine if the bills are counterfeit, which they were.

On the same date, the Carlton Little Store reported to the Carlton County Sheriff’s Department that a person had passed three counterfeit $20 bills at that store in exchange for merchandise. Sheriff’s deputies examined store video, and the person passing the counterfeit bills at both locations was positively identified as Miller.

All of the $20 bills surrendered had the serial number of IB79466761E.

Authorities then learned the suspect was already in custody in St. Louis County following a traffic stop in Duluth around 3:30 a.m. Dec. 1. At that time Duluth Police noted he was wanted on an outstanding warrant issued in Olmstead County and also discovered he had $1,400 in counterfeit $20 bills in his possession.

Upon issuance of a search warrant, investigators conducted a search of Miller’s home. Paper and a printer thought to be used to create fake bills were found in the home.

A warrant was issued for Miller on Dec. 18, 2012, in Carlton County for a felony fifth-degree drug possession charge dating back to Oct. 2. Miller was subsequently taken into custody in Carlton County, and bail was set for $12,000. A request for pre-trial release was denied by Judge Dale Wolf at that time.

Miller remained in custody but was transported to Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth on Jan. 6 for care after becoming sick. During his time there, he walked away from the hospital despite the fact he had been ordered to remain there until he was picked up by Carlton County sheriff’s deputies for a Jan. 9 court appearance. At that time, Judge Wolf issued a warrant for Miller’s arrest.

In the meantime, according to a complaint filed in St. Louis County on Jan. 11, officers received a call from a male who told them he was staying at the Grand Motel in Duluth and there was a male named Aaron in his hotel room. The informant said the man had told him he was wanted by law enforcement, had warrants against him, and that he had counterfeit currency on him.

Officers responded to the motel room and were allowed inside. At that time they identified Miller, despite the fact he had shaved his head and was not wearing glasses as he had in the past.

When Duluth police officers prepared to take Miller into custody, he indicated that a black duffle bag on the floor was his. During the execution of a search warrant, officers located nine counterfeit $100 bills on Miller and another in the black duffle bag. Also inside the bag were a paper cutter, a ream of manila-colored paper, a computer printer ink cartridge, a ledger, a piece of paper with a cutout of a counterfeit bill, scissors, a long blonde wig, an Essentia Hospital patient band with Miller’s name on it, four hypodermic needles, a tourniquet and other miscellaneous items.

Miller was taken into custody at the Carlton County Jail. Judge Shaun Floerke issued an order of detention on behalf of St. Louis County indicating that since Miller was already in custody he should continue to be detained pending further proceedings.

The St. Louis County complaint indicated that currently law enforcement officers from St. Louis and Carlton counties have seven other investigations open involving Miller and the passing of counterfeit currency in an amount exceeding $5,000.

Miller made an appearance in Carlton County Court Wednesday morning and an order was issued granting him a public defender. He is set for an omnibus hearing at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 30.

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