Former Metro officer faces counterfeiting charge

Ronald Pearce, 40, was fired from the department in 1995, shortly before his indictment in a theft case.

Now he faces a federal charge of possessing counterfeit money. A criminal complaint claims Pearce had 11 phony $100 bills in his possession on June 25.

An affidavit prepared by the U.S. Secret Service said Pearce and another man were detained at a local mall, and fake $100 dollar bills were found in a car at that location.

According to the affidavit, Pearce admitted passing counterfeit bills at Kmart and Target stores. The affidavit said he admitted purchasing a photocopier to produce the $100 bills.

Joseph Saitta, special agent in charge of the Secret Service office in Las Vegas, said Pearce is free on his own recognizance.

According to the affidavit, Pearce gave his consent for the search of his apartment on June 25, where authorities seized the photocopier and other items used to produce the counterfeit money.

Pearce was fired in June 1995 after a sometimes rocky 13-year career with the police department. A Clark County grand jury indicted him the following month on theft and conspiracy charges.

Pearce was placed on administrative leave in 1994 after he fatally shot a man who attacked him. It is standard procedure to place an officer on leave after a fatal shooting.

A coroner's jury ruled Pearce acted justifiably when he shot 23-year-old Bryan Stimpson during a struggle at a Fremont Street apartment complex.

archive