Pismo Beach man faces federal charges in Visalia counterfeit case

A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment Thursday against Kenneth Dwayne Choate, 51, of Pismo Beach, charging him with manufacturing U.S. currency.

In May, police learned that someone was passing counterfeit money at the Visalia Swap Meet.

After searching Choate’s Visalia motel room, officers found more than $30,000 in counterfeit bills, multiple printers, numerous boxes of drafting paper and printing and cutting supplies.

If convicted, Choate faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

This story was originally published July 30, 2015 at 8:29 PM with the headline "Pismo Beach man faces federal charges in Visalia counterfeit case."