Eureka man pleads guilty to making counterfeit money

A 35-year-old Eureka man has pleaded guilty to making counterfeit money.

Rusty D. Branning pleaded guilty Monday to one count of manufacturing, according to a news release issued by U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom.

Branning admitted to law enforcement officials that in May 2014 he manufactured counterfeit $50 bills by “washing” genuine bills of smaller denominations and then using a computer and printer to print an image of a $50 bill on the original bills.

Branning faces sentencing on May 27 which could result in a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

In the news release, Grissom commended the U.S. Secret Service and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Metzger for their work in helping solve the case.

This story was originally published March 23, 2015 at 5:06 PM with the headline "Eureka man pleads guilty to making counterfeit money."