Sting nets counterfeit merchandise; 5 arrested
By T&D StaffWednesday, July 16, 2008The Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office along with the Secretary of State’s Office joined forces this past weekend to conduct a sting at the Orangeburg Flea Market on Saturday resulting in five arrests.
Officials said that in addition to the five arrests, approximately $100,460 in counterfeit merchandise was confiscated.
“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.”
Arrested for distribution of counterfeit goods were a Pops Drive man and an Irmo man.
According to an OCSO incident report, one male fled the flea market on foot as officers approached him Saturday.
However, officers found the man’s identification that he had left behind. A vehicle left at the flea market was discovered to be registered to the same man who fled. Inside, deputies found a quantity of counterfeit material.
On Sunday, that Jamison Avenue man turned himself in to authorities. He was also charged with distribution of counterfeit goods.
In other arrests, a Stilton Road man and a man from Cheltenham, Md., were charged with illegal distribution of sound recordings.
Bond was set on each of the subjects at $3,000.
The initial three may be facing fines and penalties of $20,000 and/or up to five years in prison. The two men charged with bogus DVDs may face fines up to $250,000 and/or five years in prison for the illegal distribution of recordings charge.
A partial list of the counterfeit merchandise seized Saturday included clothing, handbags, wallets, sunglasses and shoes, as well as CDs and DVDs.
Officials said some of the items bore registered trademarks of well-known companies, such as Apple Bottoms, Gucci, the Motion Picture Association of America, National Basketball Association, Nike and Tommy Hilfiger.
Investigators say they received consumer complaints regarding the quality of merchandise at particular booths at the Orangeburg Flea Market, located on Bamberg Highway south of Orangeburg.
Upon Saturday’s investigation, authorities say the OCSO was successful in shutting down the booths at the Orangeburg Flea Market. The counterfeit items will remain in storage while investigators await 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,” Secretary of State Mark Hammond said. “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.”
Hammond said that since January, 28 people across the Palmetto State have been arrested on counterfeit-related charges. Records kept since Hammond took office in 2003 indicate more than $2,115,260 in counterfeit goods have been seized.
In February, a Bennettsville store was shut down after police found movies such as Juno and Atonement on the shelves. At the time, those movies were still in theaters. More than 530 CDs and nearly 650 DVDs were confiscated.
That case is still pending.
Anyone who may see or have knowledge of counterfeit merchandise can speak with an investigator with the Secretary of State’s Office at 803-734-2170.
yadanac wrote on Jul 23, 2008 8:35 AM:
Deborah1959 wrote on Jul 21, 2008 5:44 PM:
wrote on Jul 17, 2008 8:36 AM:
" DEBORAH1959, READYFORCHANGE,& SOUTHERNMAMA IF YOU DO THE RESEARCH, YOU'LL FIND OUT THAT THESE INDIVIDUALS ARRESTED WERE AFRICAN AMERICAN. MY POSITION ON THE MATTER, REFLECTS MORE OF MY CONCERN FOR THE CHILDREN AND THE WELL BEING OF PEOPLE SUCH AS YOURSELVES IN MY COMMUNITY.
AS A TEACHER IN THIS COMMUNITY, I SEE THINGS THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE DON'T GET TO SEE EVERYDAY AT WORK. FOR EXAMPLE, I SEE KIDS WHO DON'T HAVE WARM CLOTHING IN THE WINTER, I SEE KIDS WHO ONLY GET A DESCENT MEAL WHEN THEY COME TO SCHOOL, I SEE KIDS THAT DON'T HAVE ELECTRICITY AT HOME, AND MOST OF ALL, I SEE A FEW KIDS THAT ARE HOMELESS (YES HOMELESS HERE IN ORANGEBURG)!!! SOME OF THESE KIDS PARENTS WORK AT THE FLEA MARKET, TRYING TO MAKE SOME EXTRA CASH TO SUPPLEMENT THEIR POVERTY STRICKEN LIVES.
FINALLY, I WOULD MUCH RATHER SEE THESE PEOPLE AT THE FLEA MARKET SELLING CD'S & DVD'S, INSTEAD OF HAVING THEM SELL DRUGS, STEAL CARS, BREAK IN HOMES, ROB PEOPLE OR MUCH WORSE. WE ARE IN A RECESSION AND WHEN PEOPLE LOSE JOBS AND WHEN THE ECONOMY TAKES A NOSE DIVE (LIKE NOW), CRIME GOES UP. NOBODY GOT HURT AS A RESULT OF THEM SELLING CD'S AND DVD'S AT THE FLEA MARKET. SO MY POSITION ON THE MATTER, IS TAINTED WITH SENSITIVITY FOR THE KIDS INVOLVED AND FOR THE REDUCTION OF MORE SERIOUS CRIMES THAT COULD HAVE BEEN COMMITTED IN OUR COMMUNITY!!! RENT THE MOVIE TRADING PLACES AND THEN COMMENT. "
I asked how was selling these items making an honest dollar. Where did I make any comment about race? Does being black mean we are above the law? Is it OK to cheat on a test because of race or the fact that I may not have a real Gucci bookbag. I hope you are not teaching any of my children, I want my children to achieve because of who they are, not what they are, Don't cut them any slack just because they are Black-Americans. "
ANNUAL wrote on Jul 21, 2008 12:58 PM:
clockworkorange wrote on Jul 21, 2008 11:25 AM:
beerslinger wrote on Jul 20, 2008 3:46 PM:
MINIMOUSE wrote on Jul 20, 2008 3:43 PM:
An officer cant make the leap that since you drove off the parking lot of an establishment that sells alcohol that you are driving under the influence. Until you are observed operating a motor vehicle you cant be charged wuth dui Remember Santee po po chief?
I do like the idea of having a safety check right at the edge of the beer joint parking lot. but I bet the lawyers would have a field day with that. "
Reasonable wrote on Jul 18, 2008 11:10 PM:
elloree wrote on Jul 18, 2008 5:52 PM:
clockworkorange wrote on Jul 18, 2008 8:50 AM:
minimouse wrote on Jul 17, 2008 9:09 PM:
The first line in every sorry attempt to justify bad behavior.
Who in history might have trotted out this offering?
Saddam Hussien? Hitler? : “ Yes But look At how many children I have fed and cared for in my regime that slaughtered 100’s of thousands of other men women and children.”
“I was just making a living for my family?” Crack pushers and prostitutes might claim the same as well as the bank robber and carjacker.
Criminal activity that enriches people that happen to have pumped out some kids is still criminal activity. God is taking care of the needy and the crafty through the entitlements offered by this state and this country. BS to the person who thinks crime is ok if some of the ill gotten gains remunerate to a child in need. "
uscwhiskeygirl wrote on Jul 17, 2008 5:25 PM:
GAN84 wrote on Jul 17, 2008 5:01 PM:
This is stupid. Counterfeiting is a crime. If someone gets caught counterfeiting, guess what? THEY ARE CHARGED. Nevermind that counterfeit merchandise has been sold at the flea market for years and years.
To actually support this kind of behavior is ludicrous and just goes to show you the average intelligence level of those that do.
Reasonable, you are a teacher? Your grammar, punctuation and syntax are absolutely atrocious. No wonder kids that graduate highschool (or even college) can't string together a complete, coherent sentence. "
confisus_sum wrote on Jul 17, 2008 4:35 PM:
elcid87 wrote on Jul 17, 2008 12:11 PM:
and it too would be a racial incident. When you condone this type of crime and critize the Sherrif's department for doing their job, you really show your ignorance. Odd screen name for someone so unreasonable. "
duck1227 wrote on Jul 17, 2008 9:03 AM:
Reasonable wrote on Jul 17, 2008 8:36 AM:
AS A TEACHER IN THIS COMMUNITY, I SEE THINGS THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE DON'T GET TO SEE EVERYDAY AT WORK. FOR EXAMPLE, I SEE KIDS WHO DON'T HAVE WARM CLOTHING IN THE WINTER, I SEE KIDS WHO ONLY GET A DESCENT MEAL WHEN THEY COME TO SCHOOL, I SEE KIDS THAT DON'T HAVE ELECTRICITY AT HOME, AND MOST OF ALL, I SEE A FEW KIDS THAT ARE HOMELESS (YES HOMELESS HERE IN ORANGEBURG)!!! SOME OF THESE KIDS PARENTS WORK AT THE FLEA MARKET, TRYING TO MAKE SOME EXTRA CASH TO SUPPLEMENT THEIR POVERTY STRICKEN LIVES.
FINALLY, I WOULD MUCH RATHER SEE THESE PEOPLE AT THE FLEA MARKET SELLING CD'S & DVD'S, INSTEAD OF HAVING THEM SELL DRUGS, STEAL CARS, BREAK IN HOMES, ROB PEOPLE OR MUCH WORSE. WE ARE IN A RECESSION AND WHEN PEOPLE LOSE JOBS AND WHEN THE ECONOMY TAKES A NOSE DIVE (LIKE NOW), CRIME GOES UP. NOBODY GOT HURT AS A RESULT OF THEM SELLING CD'S AND DVD'S AT THE FLEA MARKET. SO MY POSITION ON THE MATTER, IS TAINTED WITH SENSITIVITY FOR THE KIDS INVOLVED AND FOR THE REDUCTION OF MORE SERIOUS CRIMES THAT COULD HAVE BEEN COMMITTED IN OUR COMMUNITY!!! RENT THE MOVIE TRADING PLACES AND THEN COMMENT. "
msh22 wrote on Jul 17, 2008 12:32 AM:
taking advantage of others as well as just breaking the law is the issue. your sheriff's dept. did its job. you do not have to thank them but i can not imagine why you would condemn them for it. "
mysonsdad wrote on Jul 16, 2008 7:16 PM:
Southernmama wrote on Jul 16, 2008 3:01 PM:
elloree wrote on Jul 16, 2008 2:30 PM:
readyforchange wrote on Jul 16, 2008 2:27 PM:
I read the article twice and failed to see where it states that the people arrested were African American. I find it offensive that you assumed they were simply because this occurred in Orangeburg County.
By the way, selling counterfeit items is not "trying to make an honest dollar." Selling counterfeit copies of clothing, CDs, or DVDs is illegal and hurts whoever owns the registered trademark or copyright. It harms their reputation and income. Your indignant attitude about this is alarming if it is indicative of your understanding of the law. "
Deborah1959 wrote on Jul 16, 2008 1:57 PM:
Reasonable wrote on Jul 16, 2008 10:14 AM: