Manhattan Woman Sentenced to 3-6 Years in Prison

Defendant Previously Pled Guilty to Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the First Degree

Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that Carol Ntuli, age 39, of Manhattan, was sentenced to three (3) to six (6) years in prison in connection with her previous guilty plea in Orange County Court to Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the First Degree.

As alleged in documents filed and statements made in court, on two dates in March, 2024, Ntuli made purchases at stores in the Town of Wallkill and a store in the Town of New Windsor using counterfeit US currency.  When Ntuli was arrested the following week, she was wearing the same clothes she was seen wearing when she passed the counterfeit bills.  When questioned by police, Ntuli admitted to possessing and passing the counterfeit bills at the stores.  At the plea proceedings, Ntuli admitted to knowingly possessing forged money with the intent to defraud.  The plea is Ntuli’s fifth felony conviction.

District Attorney Hoovler thanked the Town of Wallkill Police Department and the Town of New Windsor Police Department for their investigation which led to the arrest of Ntuli. 

“Incarceration is appropriate for serial recidivists whose criminal behavior is not stopped by increasing punishment,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “Counterfeit currency is not a victimless crime.  Indeed, retail establishments lose untold amounts through various fraudulent schemes and those who seek to perpetrate these crimes must be held accountable.  I commend the cooperative efforts of the police agencies involved in investigating these crimes which resulted in this defendant’s arrest and conviction.”

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Peter Fernandez.

This criminal charge is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed a violation of the criminal law, and it is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the State of New York’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.