JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. — A mother and daughter were arrested in Jackson County on Saturday, April 28, after being accused of passing counterfeit money at several businesses in the Rogue Valley. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) reported that the two women, identified as 42-year-old Samantha Jo Ann O’Neil and 18-year-old Jamie Aileen O’Neil, were taken into custody following an investigation into the use of counterfeit $20 bills in White City.
According to JCSO, deputies first received reports on Saturday morning about a woman wearing an orange sweatshirt who was using fake bills at local businesses. Surveillance footage from the affected businesses led investigators to identify the suspect vehicle, a silver 2005 Toyota Camry with a California license plate. The vehicle was located later that morning in the Medford Hobby Lobby parking lot.
After identifying the car, deputies served a search warrant, where they discovered counterfeit currency and uncut sheets of fake bills inside the vehicle. Both O’Neils were arrested and face multiple charges, including three counts of first-degree forgery, three counts of third-degree theft, ten counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument, and three counts of criminal possession of a forgery device.
In addition to the counterfeit money, Samantha O’Neil was found to be in possession of over seven grams of methamphetamine and a pipe concealed on her person. As a result, she is also facing a charge of unlawful possession of methamphetamine.
The O’Neils are believed to have traveled from Lodi, California, on Wednesday, April 23, and authorities suspect that there may be additional victims across other areas along their route. Law enforcement is urging any business that may have unknowingly received counterfeit currency from the suspects to contact Emergency Communications of Southern Oregon (ECSO) Dispatch at (541) 776-72016 and reference case number 25-2219.
The arrests are part of an ongoing investigation, and authorities are working to determine the full extent of the counterfeit operation.
As the investigation continues, businesses are reminded to remain vigilant in inspecting bills for signs of counterfeit money.