Sedona AZ (February 12, 2015) – During the evening of February 4, 2015, an alert Arizona Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office deputy stopped a black Ford Mustang displaying an expired registration. Its driver provided a Colorado driver’s license with the name “Bill Benjamin.” A check of the license number revealed no corresponding record.
Determining the license was likely a fake, the deputy challenged the driver who admitted his real name as David Bukowski, originally of Cornville, Arizona. Bukowski, 25, had not wanted to disclose his real name because of an outstanding warrant. The deputy also found Bukowski possessed additional fake IDs, marijuana and an empty firearms box in the car.
Bukowski later told YCSO he used an Internet program to create fake IDs while staying at a local resort with his mother, Ronda Engel, and Engel’s boyfriend, Dennis Berry. The next day, YCSO deputies went to the Highlands Resort in Cornville, Arizona, the place Bukowski admitted creating bogus identifications and found Engel and Berry present in the rooms. They were detained and two handguns and various drugs were secured while a search warrant was obtained by YCSO detectives.
Once the search warrant was served, detectives located a printer, computer and associated equipment used to create the false identifications. They also found evidence that linked the production of counterfeit United States $100 bills to David Bukowski, along with receipts from area Cottonwood businesses showing items purchased with one hundred dollar bills. Numerous counterfeit bills in various stages of production were seized and, in later days, detectives verified counterfeit bills had been used at four Cottonwood area businesses.
Detectives also recovered quantities of marijuana, methamphetamine, and various prescription medications during the resort rooms search.
The United States Secret Service is assisting YCSO with the investigation into the production and passing of the counterfeit U.S. currency. The investigation remains active.
During the initial traffic stop on February 4, Bukowski, was arrested for charges that included the outstanding arrest warrant. He has since been charged with several counts of Forgery, Possession of a Forged Instrument, Assuming a False Identity, and Possession of Marijuana. He remains in custody at the Camp Verde Detention Center in Arizona on an $18,000 bond.
On February 5, 2015, Bukowski’s mother, Ronda Engel, 50, of Cornville, Arizona, was arrested for charges including Possession of Deadly Weapon during a Felony and Possession of Marijuana. She has since been released on a $1000 bond.
Dennis Berry, 49, of Chino Valley, Arizona, was also arrested on February 5, 2015, and charged with Misconduct involving Weapons and Possession of Marijuana. Berry remains in custody on a $1000 bond.
Initial arrest information was delayed by law enforcement authorities due to the active nature of the investigation which resulted in additional charges.
Citizens can contact the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office with information or questions at 928-771-3260. If you believe that your business has been victimized by this or another illegal activity, contact YCSO or your local law enforcement authorities today.
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