Matthew Wilson, 56, of Grand Rapids, is facing multiple felony charges in Northern Michigan over an alleged interstate criminal operation to manufacture thousands in counterfeit currency.

Michigan State Police said a trooper from the Traverse City Post first responded to a complaint about a counterfeit $10 bill passed in October 2025 at a Dollar General store on Reynolds Road in Benzie County. Soon after, police found two nearly identical incidents were reported the previous day in Grand Traverse County, spurring a larger inquiry with other local, state, federal and out-of-state law enforcement agencies over the next five months.

Wilson was reportedly identified as a suspect after multiple search warrants were executed before the Benzie County Prosecutor's Office authorized a five-count felony warrant in early March of this year. MSP's Sixth District Fugitive Team located Wilson and two others — who are alleged to have recently traveled to the U.S. from Malaysia — at a hotel near the Grand Rapids airport, police said.

Wilson was arrested and lodged in the Kent County Jail before he was transferred to Benzie County. Police said an additional search warrant was executed at the hotel room after Wilson's arrest, recovering additional counterfeit currency, a fraudulent check, multiple electronic devices, a printer and other materials.

Authorities allege Wilson was involved in the local manufacture of roughly $30,000 in counterfeit currency, and that he committed similar offenses in 14 other states.

According to MSP, the investigation into additional charges remains ongoing with other agency partners, including in North Dakota and Iowa, where authorities reportedly issued extraditable felony warrants for Wilson.

Bond was set for Wilson at $250,000 cash/surety on Monday. His next appearance in Benzie County court is set for April 20.

Wilson was arraigned on five counts of uttering and publishing counterfeit bills or notes on Monday, April 6, in Benzie County District Court. Michigan State Police Seventh District shared the charges in an update on social media Tuesday, April 7.

Timeline of the investigation:

• Late October 2025: Michigan State Police Traverse City Post received a complaint about a counterfeit $10 bill being used at a Dollar General location in Benzie County
• The trooper discovered two similar incidents had been reported the previous day in Grand Traverse County
• Over the next five months, police coordinated with other local, state, federal and out-of-state law enforcement agencies
• Early March 2026: Benzie County Prosecutor's Office authorized a five-count felony warrant for uttering and publishing counterfeit bills or notes
• March 27, 2026: Police located Wilson at a hotel near Grand Rapids airport
• April 6, 2026: Wilson was arraigned in the 85th District Court in Benzie County
• Bond set at $250,000 cash/surety
• Next court appearance scheduled for April 20, 2026

Sources:

• Michigan State Police news release
• Jackie Smith, MLive
• Jack Nissen, FOX 2 Detroit