Florida Counterfeit Currency Case
The bills were marked for motion-picture use, and a search reportedly uncovered additional prop money, cocaine and methamphetamine.
Arrest: January 27, 2026 | Bond: $21,000 | Last verified status: pending
Summary
An attempted romantic gesture for a Florida dancer allegedly relied on money that announced its own lack of authenticity.
Police said Alexander Baker-Depew visited a Clearwater florist and purchased a bouquet and chocolates worth $288.
He allegedly handed the employee fifteen $20 bills. After he left, the worker noticed that the notes were marked “replica,” stated that they were not legal tender and indicated they were for motion-picture use.
Baker-Depew then went to Oasis Cabaret, where the intended recipient worked as a dancer.
Staff called police after he allegedly attempted to pay his bar tab with more replica bills.
Baker-Depew told officers he did not know the money was counterfeit. A search reportedly found approximately $400 more in prop currency.
Police also alleged that he possessed cocaine and methamphetamine.
When questioned about the florist purchase, Baker-Depew admitted obtaining the gifts for a female dancer.
Court records did not establish what relationship, if any, existed between him and the woman.
He was booked on counterfeit-currency and drug charges and held on $21,000 bond.
1. The Crime
The financial allegations concern passing or attempting to pass replica currency as genuine money.
Knowledge is an important issue. The state must prove the required intent or awareness rather than relying only on the bills’ appearance.
The cocaine and methamphetamine counts arose from the search conducted during the arrest.
2. Crime Location
The first transaction occurred at a Clearwater florist.
The second attempted use occurred at the nearby Oasis Cabaret.
3. Date and Time of the Crime
- January 27, 2026Baker-Depew allegedly purchased the gifts with replica bills.
- Later that dayHe went to Oasis Cabaret and allegedly tried to pay with additional prop money.
- During the police encounterOfficers reportedly recovered more replica cash, cocaine and methamphetamine.
- January 2026He was booked and held on $21,000 bond.
- July 30, 2026No reliable final disposition had been located.
4. Police Department
Clearwater police investigated the florist and strip-club incidents.
5. Suspect Name
The defendant is Alexander Baker-Depew.
6. Suspect Age
Baker-Depew was 32 years old.
7. Charges
| Charge or Issue | Classification | Reported Basis | Outcome or Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passing or using counterfeit currency | Felony allegations | Replica $20 bills were allegedly used at the florist and strip club. | Pending in the last verified reporting |
| Possession of cocaine | Felony drug allegation | Police reported cocaine during the search. | Pending |
| Possession of methamphetamine | Felony drug allegation | Police reported methamphetamine during the search. | Pending |
8. Bond Amount
Baker-Depew was held in lieu of $21,000 bond.
9. Conviction
No conviction was located in the 2026 case.
10. Sentence
No sentence had been imposed in the last verified reporting.
11. Outcome
The florist identified the bills as fake after the purchase.
Police seized the remaining replica currency and alleged drugs.
12. Victim
The florist was the direct financial victim of the completed transaction.
Oasis Cabaret was the intended victim of the alleged second attempt.
Victim Name
The florist employee and dancer were not publicly identified by name.
Victim Age
Their ages were not reported.
Why Prop Money Can Still Produce Real Charges
Replica currency can be legal to possess for entertainment or novelty use.
Presenting it as genuine payment can become criminal when the evidence establishes fraudulent intent.
13. Thoughts
The bills reportedly contained more disclaimers than a pharmaceutical commercial, yet they still traveled through a florist and into a strip-club tab. The romantic plan was built on literal fiction. The criminal case, however, turns on knowledge: whether Baker-Depew understood what he was passing and intended the businesses to accept it as real money.
SEO Keywords
Alexander Baker-Depew, fake money stripper gifts, Clearwater counterfeit bills, Oasis Cabaret arrest, prop money flowers chocolates, cocaine meth arrest
Sources
Suggested Tags
Florida, Clearwater, Alexander Baker-Depew, Counterfeit Money, Stripper, Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Male
This article is based on police records, court documents, statutes and published
reporting available as of July 30, 2026. An arrest or criminal charge is not proof
of guilt. Victim addresses and unnecessary personal information have been omitted.
Court records and custody information may change after publication.
