Frank Aluka Okwudili, a 30-year-old Prairie View A&M University student, is reportedly being held at the Waller County Jail after his arrest Oct. 12 at the University Village.According to Sergeant Frank Wallace of the University Police Department, as of now Okwudili faces one third degree felony charge of forging United States currency. “However, there are several other charges that may be placed on him pending the investigation of the FBI and Secret Service,” Wallace said.
Okwudili has reportedly been a student here for one and a half years.
Wallace told The Panther that the investigation started at a Houston area pawnshop, where Okwudili allegedly attempted to purchase a .45 caliber handgun with counterfeit money. Wallace stated that the shop refused to sell Okwudili the handgun, and store personnel notified the Secret Service. Federal agents then notified the University Police Department.
“They [Secret Service] wanted to speak with him,” Wallace said. Upon reaching Okwudili’s Phase III apartment for questioning, agents allegedly found counterfeit currency and chemicals of an explosive and noxious nature that can be used in the making of explosives.
Police sources say that Okwudili used a printer, computer, and scanner to forge the currency.
After Okwudili’s arrest, Wallace made a request that the suspect be held without bond and his request was initially met with a 24-hour reprieve based on other investigations being conducted by FBI and Secret Service as matters of national security.
University relations director Tyra Metoyer said President George Wright was informed of Okwudili’s arrest and the allegations. Metoyer said, ” It’s not a university investigation, it’s being handled by the FBI and the Secret Service; it’s out of our jurisdiction.