Three arrested for passing phony money

Three Texas men arrested Sunday are accused of trying to use counterfeit $50 bills at stores in the Morgan City area, Morgan City Police Chief James Blair said in a news release.
—Antonio Benjamin, 20, of Fresno, Texas, was charged with monetary instrument abuse and possession of marijuana.
—Clifford R. Niles, 21, of Fresno, Texas, was charged with monetary instrument abuse and possession of marijuana second offense.
—Antonio V. Seales, 19, of Fresno, Texas, was charged with monetary instrument abuse, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The three suspects were arrested at 1:58 p.m. Sunday.
Officers responded to a complaint of possible counterfeit currency being distributed to a business on La. 182. Officers apprehended the three subjects as they were leaving the business in a vehicle. According to reports, the subjects were trying to pass $50 bills at the location, Blair said.
During the investigation, they admitted to using the bills at other locations in the area, police said. Officers also located suspected marijuana and drug paraphernalia in the vehicle, police said. All three were transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.