Hanahan Man Faces Counterfeiting Charge

United States Attorney W. Walter Wilkins stated today that William Drake Distler, age 23, of Hanahan, was charged in a federal Indictment with manufacturing counterfeit currency, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 471.

The Indictment alleges that from October 2008 through December 2008, Distler falsely made, forged, and counterfeited $100 bills with the intent to defraud.

The maximum penalty that Distler could receive is a fine of $250,000 and imprisonment of 20 years.

Mr. Wilkins stated that the case was investigated by agents of the Secret Service and that he has assigned the case to Assistant United States Attorney Rhett DeHart of the Charleston office for prosecution.

The United States Attorney stated that all charges in this Indictment are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

HANAHAN MAN FACES BANK ROBBERY CHARGES

United States Attorney W. Walter Wilkins stated today that Jeffrey Patrick Frye, age 45, of Hanahan, South Carolina, was indicted by a federal grand jury on four counts of bank robbery, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2113(a).

Frye was charged with robbing the First Citizens Bank on University Boulevard in North Charleston on December 24, 2008; the First Citizens Bank on Sunset Boulevard in Lexington on December 30, 2008; the Bank of South Carolina on Chuck Dawley Boulevard in Mt. Pleasant on January 20, 2009; and the First Citizens Bank on North Main Street in Summerville on January 26, 2009.

Frye could receive a maximum possible sentence of fine of 80 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.

Mr. Wilkins stated that the case was investigated by agents of the FBI, ATF, SLED, North Charleston Police Department, Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, Columbia Police Department, Mount Pleasant Police Department, Summerville Police Department, Charleston Police Department, and the Ninth Circuit Solicitor’s Office, and that he has assigned the case to Assistant United States Attorney Nick Bianchi of the Charleston office for prosecution.

The United States Attorney stated that all charges in this Indictment are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.