California Mother and Daughter Arrested in North Medford for Passing Counterfeit Bills

Medford, Oregon– A California woman and her daughter were arrested Saturday in Medford after businesses reported receiving counterfeit $20 bills, according to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO).

Deputies arrested Samantha Jo Ann O’Neil, 42, and Jamie Aileen O’Neil, 18, both of Walnut Grove, California. Both were lodged in the Jackson County Jail and face charges including three counts of first-degree forgery, three counts of third-degree theft, 10 counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument, and three counts of criminal possession of a forgery device. Samantha O’Neil also faces a charge of unlawful possession of methamphetamine after deputies found 7.2 grams of meth and a pipe on her during the arrest.

The investigation began around 8:30 a.m. when deputies received reports of a woman in an orange sweatshirt using counterfeit bills at businesses in White City. Surveillance footage identified the suspect vehicle as a silver 2005 Toyota Camry with California plates.

Deputies located the vehicle at 10:05 a.m. in the Medford Hobby Lobby parking lot. After setting up surveillance, deputies arrested the two suspects as they approached the car.

A search of the vehicle uncovered numerous counterfeit bills and printed sheets of uncut counterfeit money. Businesses identified as victims so far include Medford Hobby Lobby, Dutch Bros. in White City, McDonald’s in White City, and Starbucks in White City.

Samantha Jo Ann O’Neil and Jamie Aileen O’Neil

According to deputies, the two had traveled from Lodi, California, on Wednesday, April 23, and investigators believe there may be additional victims along their route.

Businesses that suspect they received counterfeit money from the suspects are asked to call the Emergency Communications of Southern Oregon (ECSO) Non-Emergency line at (541) 776-7206 and reference case number 25-2219.

The investigation is ongoing. No additional information is available at this time.