Newberry man arrested for using “movie prop” money to buy food, beer, and cigarettes

Staff report

NEWBERRY, Fla. – Avery Donnell Hopkins, 50, was arrested yesterday on a warrant for allegedly using “movie prop” money to buy various items at several locations, including receiving cash as change.

On July 31, an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to the Circle K at the intersection of Newberry Road and SW 250th Street in Newberry, where the manager said she had found a pack of four $20 bills imprinted with “FOR MOTION PICTURE PURPOSES.” The deputy reported that there are multiple indications on the bills that “it should be very evident that the items are prop currency and not to be used as legal tender.”

The investigation found that Hopkins had purchased a beer and a pack of cigarettes and paid for them with one of the fake $20 bills. About five minutes later, he allegedly came back to the counter and asked the clerk if she had four $10 bills to make change; she said she does not keep $10 bills in the drawer, but she gave him eight $5 bills in exchange for two more of the fake $20 bills. The deputy reported that in the store video, “it can be seen that [the clerk] did not inspect any of the bills when she took them.”

The manager reportedly recognized Hopkins as a regular customer and identified him when she saw the video. The deputy was also able to identify him from his January 2024 jail booking photo.

While investigating this case, the deputy also responded to the Subway at 24208 W. Newberry Road, where the manager said a man had come in on July 28, ordered six cookies, paid with a $50 “movie prop” bill, and received $48.30 in change. He allegedly came back about an hour later, ordered a sandwich, paid for it with another $50 fake bill, and received $43.02 in change. While an employee made his sandwich, he allegedly took a $5 bill from the tip jar and put it in his pocket.

Hopkins has been charged with four counts of passing a counterfeit bill, four counts of engaging in fraud to obtain property under $20,000, and five counts of theft. In January, Hopkins was charged with exploitation of an elderly person, grand theft, and fraudulent use of a debit card; that case does not currently show up in the court system. He has 10 felony convictions (one violent) and six misdemeanor convictions (one violent). He has served one three-year state prison term and was released in January 2022. Judge Susan Miller-Jones set bail at $115,000.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.