A St. Louis man has pled guilty in federal district court for possessing counterfeit money in Sauget.

According to a three-count indictment, Sanchez E. Smotherman, 36, pled guilty to possession of counterfeit currency, resisting or impeding the U.S. Secret Service and obstruction of justice. Smotherman admitted that he had possessed and passed counterfeit currency on June 13 at a business in Sauget. He also admitted that after his arrest, he had tried to destroy evidence by placing evidence in his mouth in an attempt to swallow it. He forcibly resisted agents, including an agent of the U.S. Secret Service.

Smotherman could face up to 48 years in prison, a fine of up to $750,000, up to three years of supervised release after his release from prison and $300 in special assessments. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 11.