ICTA Helps Nab Counterfeiter

Fake ATF Badge from ICTA Task Force Counterfeit Sting
ICTA’s Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force plays key role in investigation and provides experts to identify fakes

Dillon Gage is a proud member of The Industry Council for Tangible Assets

A New Jersey man admitted June 25 to impersonating a federal agent while selling counterfeit coins and bars and unlawfully importing counterfeit coins and bars into the United States, according to U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito.

Jonathan A. Kirschner, 34, also known as “Jonathan Kratcher,” pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Robert B. Kugler in Camden, N.J., federal court to one count of falsely impersonating an agent of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and one count of unlawfully importing counterfeit coins and bars into the United States.

According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court:

Kirschner admitted that on May 9, 2017, he sold fake gold bars to a coin collector for $11,000 in cash. Kirschner wore an ATF badge (Shown at right) on a chain around his neck and claimed to be an ATF agent in written correspondence with the coin collector and when they met in person. Kirschner also admitted that he sold 49 counterfeit Morgan dollar coins to two people in Mt. Laurel, N.J., on June 4, 2017. Kirschner told them, “I have my badge on,” when providing descriptive information so that they could recognize Kirschner.

Full story here.