Eureka residents charged in counterfeit case

Two Eureka residents have been indicted on federal felony counterfeiting charges.

Michael Edward O’Neill, 45, and Kelly Louise Nicholls, 39, were indicted on four counts of felony counterfeiting. A grand jury also found the pair might be subject to forfeiture of any materials used for counterfeiting if they are convicted in the case.

Most of the details of the case are still sealed, however, the grand jury determined that Nicholls had passed a $20 bill she knew to be fake to Big Mountain Lodge in Whitefish on Nov. 11, 2015. The jury also concluded that Nicholls had used a fake $50 bill at Grouse Mountain Lodge in Whitefish on Nov. 29, 2015.

O’Neill allegedly passed fake bills at more than one business in Flathead and Lincoln counties. One specific incident listed in the indictment claims O’Neill used a fake $20 bill at the Ranch Hand gas station in Eureka on Nov. 29, 2015.

A trial has been set for March 28.

If convicted, the pair face up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count listed in the indictment. The case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service.

Reporter Megan Strickland can be reached at 758-4459 or mstrickland@dailyinterlake.com.