A Lower Salford man and a Telford man are accused of printing counterfeit money in Quakertown. Matthew Geissler, 36, of Ruth Road, and Michael Sewak, 31, were arrested Jan. 20 at the Econo Lodge, located at 1446 West Broad Street, and charged with forgery and related crimes.

            A motel employee discovered a sheet of paper containing a photo copy of three prints of the back of a $20 bill in a room, according to the police criminal complaint filed in the Richland Township court of District Judge Melissa Gaier.

            Geissler told law enforcement officials that he had heard of a printer that could print money without the security feature to prevent it, and that he and Sewak purchased the printer one or two days earlier before attempting to see if it would work, according to the affidavit of probable cause for both defendants.

            Authorities were dispatched to the business at 8:05 p.m. to meet the front clerk, who reported that customers were in a room doing drugs and making fake money. The clerk said he rented the room to three males at 3:35 p.m., but decided to kick them out, according to the legal document.

            After the subjects left, the employee went into the room to turn off the lights and discovered the photo copy in the trash. The clerk added that the three men had returned to the room to retrieve their personal belongings. All three, who had backpacks, explained to an officer why they were being kicked out.

            A search of Geissler's pack turned up an HP printer and edging and cutting items to straight cut a piece of paper. He advised authorities that the items were used to cut and print counterfeit money according to court records.

            Additionally, Geissler told the police he was in the room when the money was printed and that he had a fake $20 bill in his wallet. He also said he used the counterfeit currency to pay for two slices of pizza and a large soda at Roma's Pizza, located at 1446 West Broad Street, according to authorities.

            A search of Geissler's bag turned up a plunged, hypodermic needle with the suspected residue of an illegal substance, according to the affidavit.

            Geissler and Sewak were both arraigned Jan. 21 by Bensalem District Judge Joseph P. Falcone on identical charges of felony forgery and related conspiracy, conspiracy to possess an instrument of crime, theft and related conspiracy, possession of drug paraphernalia, receiving stolen property and summary retail theft. The third man was not charged.

            Both defendants were remanded to Bucks County prison after Falcone set bail in the case at 10 percent of $70,000 monetary, according to information posted on a state judicial website.

            A preliminary hearing for Geissler and Sewak has been scheduled for 2 p.m. on Jan. 31 before Gaier.