Case 20 - The King of Counterfeit

Retired Secret Service agent Todd Hiles and retired FBI agent Stewart Fillmore trace the hidden history of America’s most audacious counterfeiters—and the quiet war waged to stop them. Beginning in the late 19th century with Emanuel Ninger, known to authorities as Joseph Gilbert, the story unfolds through an era when forged currency threatened the very trust that held the nation together. Ninger’s skill was unmatched, his methods elusive, and his work so convincing it forced law enforcement to rethink how money—and crime—were defined. Decades later, the trail leads to Emerich Juettner, operating under the name Edward Mueller, a counterfeiter of a very different kind. His operation was smaller, quieter, and nearly invisible—yet it endured for years without detection, raising unsettling questions about how crime can hide in plain sight. Hiles and Fillmore explore how these two men, separated by time but bound by deception, bookend the evolution of counterfeit crime in America. From master engravers to kitchen-table operations, this episode examines how the battle between counterfeiters and the government became a test of ingenuity, patience, and persistence. Follow Texas Crime Travelers: TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@texascrimetra...⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://instagram.com/texascrimetrave...⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/texascrimetr...⁠ Substack: https://substack.com/@texascrimetravelers https://texascrimetravelers.com/ Have a specific case in mind that you'd like us to explore or just want to get in touch? Case Request/Contact Form: ⁠https://forms.gle/hynpjFrKEVvG6FWw9⁠ For business inquiries or opportunities to sponsor our next podcast episode, please reach out to us at ⁠[email protected] Music by: Eddie Bandas Contact: [email protected]