Man accused of $160,000 in jewelry ‘purchases’ using movie prop bills, posting items to social media

BOSTON, Mass. (WLNE) — A Tennessee man has been charged with buying $160,000 worth of high-end jewelry with movie prop bills, according to a statement from the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.

Devin Johnson, 20, of Cordova, Tenn., was charged and arraigned on one count of larceny over $1,200 in Central Boston Municipal Court in July.

According to the Suffolk DA, Johnson and a second suspect bought several items from jewelry shop Temple Place using the counterfeit bills.

Among the items purchased were a rose gold and diamond bracelet worth $15,000, a rose gold and diamond chain worth $50,000, a Rolex Presidential 40mm watch worth $45,000, a Rolex Datejust watch worth $23,000 and a gold and diamond tennis chain worth $30,000.

The suspects allegedly made the purchases on April 23.

Police were notified two days later when a store worker took money from the safe and learned it was counterfeit after running the bills through a money counter.

Police detectives recognized the bills as similar to movie set prop currency, and the bills had “In Prop We Trust” written on them.

Johnson was identified as the suspect through surveillance footage from Temple Place and the Downtown Crossing area.

These images included those of a rented Ford Bronco that was in the second suspect’s name.

The suspects also posted photos and video of items identical to the stolen merchandise to social media, according to the Suffolk DA.

The second suspect tagged Johnson with the caption “We made history bro.”

Warrants for Johnson and the second suspect were obtained in June and the second suspect has not yet been arraigned.

Johnson was released on personal recognizance after his initial court appearance and ordered to stay away from the jewelry store.

He will appear in court again on September 23.