SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO-AM) - United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Vadnais Heights, Minnesota, man convicted of Passing Counterfeit Securities was sentenced on January 9, 2014, by the Honorable Karen E. Schreier, U.S. District Judge. Gregory Wayne Newell, age 43, was sentenced to 24 months in custody, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $1,200 restitution to the victims in the case. Newell was indicted for Passing Counterfeit Securities by a federal grand jury on July 9, 2013. He pled guilty on October 23, 2013.In December of 2012, Newell passed four counterfeit $50 American Express traveler’s checks at a Sioux Falls Hy-Vee Store. This case was investigated by the Sioux Falls Police Department and the United States Secret Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper prosecuted the case. Newell was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.