A Keyes man is facing up to 20 years in federal prison for passing fraudulent treasury bonds that netted him more than $134,000, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Ronnie Douglas Fleming, 37, of Keyes entered a guilty plea on Tuesday in federal court to passing a counterfeit obligation of the United States.

Fleming passed phony treasury bonds at banks in the Central Valley and in the Bay Area from March to May of 2022. The banks paid Fleming more than $134,000 for the bonds.

This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Secret Service with assistance from the Department of the Treasury Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas M. Fogg is prosecuting the case.

Fleming is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 28, 2023, by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd. Fleming faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.