KOSCIUSKO — A Fort Wayne man was sentenced today, Thursday, March 29, in Kosciusko Superior One Court after using counterfeit bills to make fraudulent purchases.

Shawndrell Malik Franklin, 21, 344 W. Butler St., Fort Wayne, was charged with two counts of counterfeiting, both level 6 felonies.

On Aug. 12, 2017, officers were called to Payless ShoeSource where a female attempted to make a purchase with a $100 counterfeit bill.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, the Payless clerk pointed out the vehicle the female arrived in. Franklin was sitting in the vehicle.

After an investigation, officers learned that Franklin and the female completed purchases at Staples, Aldi’s, Big R, K-Mart and Dollar General, all with counterfeit $100 bills. Five counterfeit $100 bills were discovered underneath the driver’s seat, and $900 in counterfeit $100 bills were found on both Franklin and the female.

Deputy prosecutor Brad Voelz pointed out good qualities Franklin has, but also mentioned his criminal history.

“Shawndrell is a kind and likable young man, but yet he has this jail record,” Voelz said. “He has a family here today who loves and supports him.”

Defense attorney John Bohdan said that Franklin is very intelligent, but has made some wrong choices.

“He’s got the tools to improve himself,” Bohdan said. “He just needs to learn how to use them.”

Franklin mentioned his son and how he wants to continue being a part of his life.

“You’re an intelligent young man, but you have this criminal history,” Judge David Cates said. “You’re better than this.”

Cates sentenced Franklin to serve two one-year sentences concurrently. As long as he’s qualified, Franklin can serve them on work release or through community corrections.