Student made fake bills as a joke

The 17-year-old Rutland High School student charged with counterfeiting says he made fake twenty dollar bills as a joke. Jeff DeJarnette was charged with felony counterfeiting after Rutland police and U.S. Secret Service agents traced the bad bills back to DeJarnette, and police say he admitted making them with a copier at his Chittenden home. He pleaded innocent in Rutland District Court last week, but hopes to reach a plea deal to avoid the 14-year maximum sentence for counterfeiting. DeJarnette said he was surprised to learn that another 17-year-old student used one of the counterfeit bills but wasn't charged. Officer J. Michael Warfle said he only presented the case against DeJarnette to the prosecutor's office because of the other student's cooperation.