Midwest Mastermind: This Is How One Minnesota Man Counterfeited Over $19 MILLION!
Discover the shocking true crime tale of John Vogel, a Minnesota counterfeiter whose high-stakes game with the law ended in a dramatic and tragic showdown. 🚔 #News #Minnesota TrueCrime
Fugitive Counterfeiter John Vogel: A Tale of Crime and Evasion
ST. PAUL, MN – In a time when true crime podcasts and docuseries captivate millions, the story of John Vogel stands out as a gripping saga of ambition, deception, and a dramatic downfall.
This Minnesota counterfeiter’s escapades in the 90s, from high-speed chases to multimillion-dollar schemes, echo the thrilling plots of today’s most binge-worthy shows.
As we take a fresh look into Vogel’s tale, we uncover lessons and parallels that resonate with modern-day audiences, reminding us that the allure of easy money and the consequences of crime remain as relevant as ever.
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The Suspicious Shipment
In January 1995, John Vogel, a 52-year-old man with a shadowy past, aroused suspicion at a shipping office in Brownsville, Texas. Vogel, who had aliases like J. Johnson, J. Stewart, and Robert Timmers, sent a package to his Minnesota business.
His hesitant response to a clerk’s inquiry about the package’s contents led her to alert U.S. Customs officials. A drug-sniffing dog detected narcotics, and the package was sent to Minnesota for inspection.
The Unveiling of a Major Operation
Upon inspection, investigators discovered men’s clothing, two aerosol containers with false bottoms, cocaine, counterfeit bills, and test print strips. The discovery marked the beginning of one of the largest counterfeiting operations ever uncovered.
Vogel’s history of crime included a 1986 armed bank robbery, for which he was captured after a high-speed chase and imprisoned until his parole in 1991. Post-release, he ran a small printing business near Minneapolis.
The Sting and Arrest
Federal agents, aware of Vogel’s activities, sent the cocaine and counterfeit money back in the package, delivered by an undercover Secret Service agent. Vogel was arrested shortly after receiving the package, and a search of his business revealed a large stash of counterfeit bills.
Further investigation led to a storage locker rental, where 196,116 counterfeit bills, totaling over $19 million, were found. Vogel had been printing these since his 1991 release.
The Great Escape
Despite his arrest, Vogel was released on personal recognizance on January 17, 1995, and he vanished without a trace. Investigators estimated he had circulated $50,000 of counterfeit money across numerous states. His disappearance sparked a massive manhunt, making his case one of the most extensive counterfeiting investigations in U.S. history.
The Final Chase
The search for Vogel ended dramatically on July 12, 1995. Acting on a tip, the FBI pursued Vogel following a bank robbery in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The chase ended near Rushmore, Minnesota, when Vogel, cornered by police, chose to end his life with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. This tragic conclusion closed a significant chapter in U.S. criminal history.
A Daughter’s Perspective
Vogel’s daughter, Jennifer, later wrote a book about his life, presenting a complex portrait of a man driven by the pursuit of the American dream but trapped in a life of crime. Her account offers a deeper understanding of his actions and the emotional turmoil that haunted him.
Legacy of a Counterfeiter
John Vogel’s story is a stark reminder of the thin line between ambition and desperation. His life, marked by a relentless pursuit of wealth through illegal means, ultimately led to his downfall. Yet, through his daughter’s eyes, we see a man burdened by regret and a need for redemption, even in his final moments.
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