COLUMBIA -- The Secretary of State’s Office and the Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office partnered to conduct a sting at the Orangeburg Flea Market on Saturday, July 12, 2008, that resulted in the confiscation of approximately $100,460 in counterfeit merchandise. Arrested for distribution of counterfeit goods were John Henry of 127 Pops Drive, Orangeburg, Moussa Togola of 680 Jamison Avenue, Orangeburg, and Juaquan Maurice Smith of 10 Rapids Ford Court, Irmo, SC. Arrested for illegal distribution of sound recordings were Alvin Demetrius Richardson, 894 Stilton Road, Orangeburg, and George Daniel Willingham of Cheltenham, MD.
The counterfeit merchandise included clothing, handbags, wallets, sunglasses, and shoes, as well as CDs and DVDs. Companies misrepresented were Akademik, Apple Bottoms, Artful Dodger, Baby Phat, Coach, Coogi, Dooney & Bourke, Ed Hardy, Enyce, Evisu, Gucci, Girbaud, Lacoste, Louis Vuitton, LRG, Motion Picture Association of America, National Basketball Association, Nike, Phat Farm, Prada, Recording Industry Association of America, Red Monkey, Rocawear, Tommy Hilfiger, and True Religion.
Investigators received consumer complaints regarding the quality of merchandise at particular booths at the Orangeburg Flea Market on Highway 301. Upon investigation, the Sheriff’s Office was successful in shutting down the booths at the Orangeburg Flea Market. The counterfeit items will remain in storage while the Sheriff’s Office awaits a court order to destroy them.
“We have a commitment to area retailers to investigate these types of crimes which not only affect their individual businesses but hurt the Orangeburg County economy as well,” said Secretary of State Mark Hammond. “The only real way to stop the distribution of fake merchandise is to stop buying it. We hope the good people of Orangeburg County join us in our fight against counterfeit merchandise.”
“We are very happy to partner with the Secretary of State's Office on this,” Orangeburg County Sheriff Larry Williams said. “It's important to me and my deputies to put an end to this type of activity in Orangeburg County and to bring the offenders to justice.”
Henry, Smith, and Togola may face felony distribution charges of $20,000 and/or five years in prison. This penalty was a result of the joint efforts of law enforcement and the Secretary of State’s Office. Willingham and Richardson may face fines up to $250,000 and/or five years in prison for the illegal distribution of recordings charge.
For more information regarding trademark violations or to register a mark, contact Secretary of State Mark Hammond’s office at (803) 734-2170.
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