Long Island teen arrested for possessing counterfeit cash

Carmel – A 17-year-old Long Island girl has been arrested in Putnam County for possessing three counterfeit $20 bills while at a Putnam County high school.

On January 16, a teenager, later identified as Ariana Cozzolino, who was visiting Brewster High School was found to be in possession of counterfeit cash by a school administrator while he was interviewing her on an unrelated issue.

During the investigation, the youth told investigators she got the phony money from an acquaintance while at her home high school in Suffolk County.

Cozzolino was charged with criminal possession of a forged instrument in the third degree, a misdemeanor. She was released without bail to her guardian pending further court action.

In the meantime, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office has been alerting merchants and residents in the area that counterfeit $20s could be circulating in the area.

They can be detected as they all have the same serial number: CB5905911G. Anyone with suspicious money is asked to call the sheriff’s office at 845-225-8060 or 225-4300. All calls will be kept confidential.