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.
The florist employee and dancer were not publicly identified by name.
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.
Sources
Verified case chronology
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.
The publication date used for this cleaned article is 2026-01-27. That date is tied to the following case event: January 27, 2026 Clearwater arrest after the florist and strip-club prop-money allegations. This replaces the old import timestamp, which reflected when the article package was created rather than when the underlying crime or later substantive case development actually occurred.
Charges, custody and current posture
The record identifies Alexander Baker-Depew (32) in connection with events reported at Clearwater florist and Oasis Cabaret, Florida. The principal reported proceeding is the charge or proceeding described in the source record. The custody, bond or financial information reported for the case is $21,000. The source record establishes a completed plea or sentence rather than merely an accusation.
The latest verified posture through August 11, 2026 is: Held on felony counterfeit-related and drug allegations with reported $21,000 bond; no later reliable plea, dismissal, verdict or sentence was located. That status controls the wording of the headline and body. A scheduled arraignment, restitution hearing, trial date or possible future dismissal is not treated as if it already happened. Likewise, a bond amount is not presented as a sentence, and a diversion agreement is not called a conviction.
What the case-specific record shows
Those details are the factual anchors for this record. They identify the person, location, conduct, evidence described by investigators or witnesses, and the procedural action actually completed. the update does not add a generic statute summary merely to increase length, and it does not borrow facts from other cases with a similar unusual object, restaurant, store, vehicle or social-media angle.
Source record and reporting limits
The sources below were reviewed for this specific case and for a later disposition. Where the source set did not reveal a later plea, dismissal, verdict or sentence, the article stops at the last verified event instead of assuming the case remained unchanged forever or inventing an outcome. Where a later disposition was found, the older arrest-stage language is superseded by that result.
Disclaimer: This article summarizes case-specific public records and reporting available through August 11, 2026. Charges and police allegations remain allegations unless a valid plea or court judgment establishes guilt. The article date reflects the verified crime or later substantive case event described above.
