DHS man arrested with counterfeit money

A 33-year-old man from Desert Hot Springs was recently arrested near Cabazon on suspicion of driving under the influence of methamphetamine. An officer with the California Highway Patrol also found a large amount of counterfeit money and equipment used to make counterfeit money in the man’s car, according to authorities.

Matthew Burress was pulled over on Sunday for excessive speed on eastbound I-10. Officers said he provided a false name to law enforcement and was arrested for that offense and for suspicion of DUI.

Authorities said they found a large quantity of high-quality counterfeit money inside the suspect’s car. Burress was also in possession of equipment used to create counterfeit currency. Investigators said they were able to determine through receipts that Burress had been passing and exchanging the counterfeit currency throughout the San Gorgonio Pass area.

The U.S. Secret Service was contacted about the phony cash and authorities discovered Burress had committed similar currency crimes in Orange County, Nevada and Arizona. Burress was also wanted by the U.S. Marshal’s Service for similar federal crimes, according to the CHP’s release.