A Vermilion County man, Jacob R. Kirkley, age 48, is heading back to prison after a federal court in Urbana found him guilty of repeated counterfeiting crimes. On May 2, 2025, Kirkley was handed a prison sentence of four years for his second federal counterfeiting conviction, as well as an additional 18 months for violating his supervised release from a prior conviction, according to a U.S. Attorney’s Office press release. Post-release, he will be under three years of federal supervised watch.
In a trial last December, evidence was presented by the government showing Kirkley's illegal transactions with an undercover Illinois State Police officer, where he sold counterfeit U.S. currency on multiple occasions. Kirkley, who was released from an earlier prison stint in May 2023, had initially been convicted for similar crimes in 2022—ones that involved more than $20,000 in counterfeit currency discovered in his vehicle and at a Budget Inn in Danville. His recent activities came just months after this release, during a time when he was supposed to be under the watchful eye of federal supervision.
District Judge Colin S. Bruce expressed concern over the quick recurrence of Kirkley's criminal activities and imposed a sentence that exceeded the advisory guideline ranges. The offenses each carried a maximum penalty of twenty years imprisonment and up to a $250,000 fine. The violation of supervised release could have added up to two years of imprisonment as well. The judge found that Kirkley did not show remorse for his actions, which played a role in the sentencing decision.
"Counterfeiting offenses undermine the integrity and stability of our financial system and leave hardworking business owners who receive these false payments in the lurch," said Acting U.S. Attorney Gregory M. Gilmore, describing the repercussions of such activities. The Secret Service, noted for their dedication to protecting the nation's currency, was involved in the investigation, with Resident Agent in Charge Michael Kurzeja pointing out their commitment to stopping counterfeit operations. "The Secret Service goes to extraordinary lengths to detect, investigate, and stop those who manufacture and try to profit from counterfeit currency, and attempt to weaken the nation’s financial infrastructure," Kurzeja stated.
Investigations by the Springfield Division of the United States Secret Service, Vermilion County Metropolitan Enforcement Group, and Illinois State Police played a pivotal role in uncovering Kirkley's counterfeit schemes. Illinois State Police Director Brendan F. Kelly underscored the commitment to maintaining the integrity of the U.S. currency.
