RIAA Anti-Piracy Seizure Information
U.S. Busts - January 2005
Kansas | Maryland |Michigan | Minnesota | Missouri | New Jersey |New York
North Carolina | Ohio | Pennsylvania | Puerto Rico |Texas | Virginia
California
On December 2, 2004, Los Angeles Police Department OCVD Detectives, assisted by RIAA and MPAA, served a warrant on E. 99th Street in Los Angeles. Six suspects were arrested and charged. Seized pursuant to the warrant were 18,053 counterfeit and pirate CD-Rs, 1,762 counterfeit DVDs, 10 eight-bay CD/DVD burners, two computers, three Rimage Printers, two Cannon laser color copy machines, one commercial grade shrink wrap machine and one commercial grade full size paper cutter.
On November 3 & 4, following a one-hour training class to the Oakland Police Department Special Problems Unit, the RIAA accompanied the Unit to Homeboyz Stereo in Oakland. The police department had cited the storeowner at that location in December of 2003. Confiscated on their return visit were 2,370 counterfeit and pirate CD-Rs. One suspect was arrested and charged with felony violations.
On November 21, 2004, as part of RIAA's holiday enforcement initiative, four search warrants were executed in conjunction with LASO-NORSAT at two public storage facilities in the greater Los Angeles Area. A total of eight suspects were taken into custody along with seven vehicles, 84,223 counterfeit and pirate CD-Rs and 216 DVDs.
Colorado
On November 14, 2004, the Denver Police Department, assisted by investigators from the RIAA, conducted plainview seizures at two retail locations resulting in the seizure of 509 pirate CD-Rs. One individual was arrested and charged while another suspect fled the scene.
Connecticut
On December 17, 2004, RIAA investigators assisted the New Haven office of the FBI in the execution of a search warrant at Dollar Discount Plus in Waterbury. As a result, 724 counterfeit and pirate CD-Rs and DVDs were seized.
Delaware
On January 2005, The Wilmington Delaware Police Department arrested an individual and seized over 400 sound recordings. Subsequent to the arrest, illegal drugs and firearms were also confiscated. Trial is pending.
Florida
On Monday, December 20, 2004, agents from the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, with assistance from the RIAA, seized 775 molded CDs and 121 music DVDs from a vendor at the Swap Shop in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The individual was arrested and charged with violating Florida's True Name and Address Statute. Approximately 90% of the product seized consisted of Latin repertoire while 10% was Urban.
On December 3, 2004, following several undercover purchases made by RIAA investigators, Chicago police conducted raids at two local retail locations owned by the same individual. Police confiscated a total of 1,996 counterfeit CD-Rs. The owner and an employee were arrested and charged.
On Tuesday, November 16, 2004, the Osceola County Police Department, with assistance from the RIAA, conducted raids on four retail shops in Orlando, Florida. Approximately 1,700 counterfeit/pirate sound recordings in CD-R format were seized during the operation. 90% of the product seized was Latin repertoire and 0% consisted of Urban music. Five individuals were arrested and charged with violating Florida's True Name and Address Statute.
On November 19, 2004, a New York man was convicted in Gainesville and ordered to pay $18,000 in restitution to the RIAA as the result of a May 2004 arrest that resulted in the seizure of 2,100 counterfeit and pirate CD-Rs.
Georgia
On December 2, 2004, the Atlanta Police Department, assisted by the RIAA and MPAA, executed two search warrants at distribution locations on Campbellton Road in Atlanta. A total of 127,735 counterfeit and pirate CD-Rs and DVDs were seized and seven suspects were arrested.
Illinois
On December 22, 2004, RIAA investigators conducted several Voluntary Surrenders at the Swap O Rama Flea Market in Chicago. A total of 1,325 counterfeit and pirate CD-Rs were recovered.
On December 8, 2004, Elgin Police conducted a plain view seizure at a local retail store. RIAA investigators had made several undercover purchases at the store and informed police of the illegal activity. During the raid, police confiscated 1,000 counterfeit and pirated CD-Rs. The owner of the store was arrested and charged.
On December 3, 2004, following several undercover purchases made by RIAA investigators, Chicago police conducted raids at two local retail locations owned by the same individual. Police confiscated a total of 1,996 counterfeit CD-Rs. The owner and an employee were arrested and charged. Chicago Police, assisted by RIAA investigators conducted a plain view seizure at two local retail stores after investigators made an undercover purchase of pirated music in CD-R format, at each store. A total of 1,996 pirated/counterfeit music CD-Rs were confiscated from both locations. 80% of the CD-Rs confiscated were of the Latin genre. The owner, who owned both stores, and an employee were arrested and charged with felonies. Police conducted a plain view seizure at a local retail store in Elgin, Illinois. The seizure was conducted as a result of an undercover buy of Latin pirated music CD-Rs by RIAA investigators. The store owner and the manager were both arrested and charged with felonies. 1,000 Latin pirated/counterfeit CD-Rs were recovered from the raid. Information was developed that a store on Chicago Avenue, in Chicago, was selling illegal music CDs. RIAA investigators made undercover buys at two locations owned by the same individual. On December 3, 2004, officers from the Chicago Police Department and RIAA investigators raided both stores, arrested the owner and a store manager and seized approximately 2,000 piratical music CD-Rs. 80% of the music seized was Latin music genre. Over the past several months, RIAA investigators made undercover purchases of piratical CDs at a retail music store in Addison, IL. On November 16, 2004, the Addison Police Department, assisted by the RIAA, arrested the store owner and charged him with a felony. A search warrant was executed and a CD-R burner and approximately 2,200 illegal, Latin music CD-Rs were seized.
On November 3, 2004, the Rockford Police raided six retail stores following a yearlong investigation and several undercover buys by RIAA members. As a result, five individuals were arrested and 2,160 counterfeit and pirate CD-Rs were confiscated.
On November 7, 2004, RIAA members conducted voluntary surrenders at three different booths at Buyer's Flea Market in Chicago. Law enforcement action has been conducted at this location in the past. Seized as a result of this action were a total of 2,023 counterfeit and pirate CD-Rs.
On November 11, 2004, the Chicago Police arrested a uniformed police officer for selling counterfeit and pirate CD-Rs at flea market booths and a retail location. The RIAA initiated the investigation after extensive complaints by several Latin labels. More than 5,000 counterfeit and pirate CD-Rs were confiscated along with 45,000 insert cards and assorted raw materials. The officer has been charged with three felony counts including sound recording violations and official misconduct. The officer has been stripped of all law enforcement authority and suspended without pay.
On November 11, 2004, the Addison Police Department served a search warrant on a local retail store that was selling illegal CD-Rs. Approximately 2,600 counterfeit and pirate CDRs were confiscated during the search. The owner of the store was subsequently arrested.
On November 17, 2004, a Chicago man was convicted and sentenced to 1 year in the Illinois Department of Corrections. The offender was arrested by the Chicago police in August 2004 after police, on routine patrol, observed him on the sidewalk offering illegal CDs and DVDs for sale. Police confiscated 170 pirated CD-Rs and 30 movie DVDs.
January 2005, The Chicago Police Department, assisted by the RIAA investigators, conducted a year long investigation of the distribution of counterfeit sound recordings in the Chicago area. Information obtained from a number of arrests identified the main distributor. A number of undercover buys from the target, resulted in criminal actions at the MP Mall. The suspects initially eluded police by fleeing through an escape door into adjoining booths. Subsequently the suspects were identified through a number of sources and arrested. Seized from the location were 2,260 sound recordings along with 1,865 DVDs, and a 45-caliber handgun. $4,760.00 in cash was also confiscated from the defendants. Both suspects were charged with felonies. MPAA also assisted with the warrant.
Kansas
On November 7, 2004, a Kansas City patrol officer investigating another crime discovered a street vendor selling counterfeit CD-Rs in Kansas City. The suspect was arrested and 454 counterfeit CD-Rs were seized.
Maryland
On January 10, 2005, an RIAA Investigative Consultant was on surveillance at a gas Station in Landover, MD, which had been the source of several complaints of vendors selling illegal music. The RIAA's IC contacted the P.G. County Police Department to notify them of the violators. The Officers responded and arrested two individuals. Seized from these individuals and their two vehicles were 2,369 counterfeit and piratical CD-Rs, along with 362 pirated DVDs.
On December 4, 2004, the Baltimore City Police Southern District, along with RIAA investigators, conducted a sweep of the Patapsco Flea Market in Baltimore and seized 1,688 counterfeit CD-Rs. One suspect was arrested and charged.
On December 8, 2004, RIAA investigators conducting surveillance in Prince George's County observed a suspect unloading several large boxes from a work van and arranging the counterfeit contents for display. After watching the suspect make several transactions, Prince George's County Police were notified. The suspect attempted to flee but was apprehended and identified as the same suspect that evaded police earlier in June 2004. Currently, the suspect is being held without bond and has been charged with felony and misdeamonor violations. Seized from the defendant were a total of 1,720 counterfeit CD-Rs and 616 counterfeit DVDs. On December 10, 2004, a Baltimore Police detective working plain-clothes vice enforcement in the 900 block of N. Caroline Street observed a suspect selling counterfeit CD-Rs in the parking lot of the Stop, Shop and Save. The detective made a controlled buy of two counterfeit CDs for $10.00. At that time, another suspect pulled up in a white Chevy Suburban and stated that he also had items for sale and displayed a large number of counterfeit CD-Rs in the rear of his vehicle. An arrest team was activated and both suspects were identified. Seized from both defendants were a total of 3,690 counterfeit CD-Rs. Charges are pending.
As a result of a December 2004 arrest and seizure of 126 counterfeit CD-Rs, a defendant was convicted and sentenced on two counts. He was ordered to pay $2,142.00 in restitution to the RIAA and sentenced to 18 months reporting probation. The Southern District Baltimore City Police assisted by RIAA representatives, conducted a sweep of the Patapsco Flea Market, located at 1400 W. Patapsco Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21230. As a result, 1,688 pirate CD-Rs CD's were seized. All were urban genre.
On November 5, 2004, RIAA investigators received a call from an officer of the Baltimore City Police Department who observed a black male selling CD-Rs out of a black carry-on bag at the Sinclair Lane Shopping Center. Seized as a result were 119 counterfeit CD-Rs.
Michigan
On December 3, 2004, a Michigan man was convicted and sentenced to 11 months and 26 days probation and was ordered to pay $1,500.00 in restitution. Detroit Police arrested and seized 196 counterfeit CD-rs from the defendant in October 2004 after observing him sell the CDs in front of a McDonald's restaurant.
On December 16, 2004, a Michigan woman was ordered to pay the RIAA restitution in the amount of $1,500.00 and placed on probation for 24 months as the result of a September 2004 arrest and seizure of 433 counterfeit CD-Rs by the Detroit Police.
On December 18, 2004, acting on information given by RIAA investigators, Warren police officers conducted two plain view seizures at the County Line Flea Market. Two suspects were arrested and charged and a total of 2,007 counterfeit CD-Rs, 13 (32x) CD-R burners and one computer were confiscated.
On November 1, 2004, a Grand Rapids storeowner was sentenced to six months probation and ordered to pay $1,500 restitution to the RIAA. The sentencing is the result of an arrest and seizure of 382 counterfeit and pirated CD-Rs by the Grand Rapids Police Department in July of 2004.
On November 10, 2004, a Detroit street vendor was convicted and sentenced to 18 months probation and ordered to pay the RIAA $1,500 restitution as the result of an October 2004 arrest and seizure of 109 counterfeit CD-Rs.
On November 18, 2004, as part of the RIAA's holiday enforcement initiative, the Detroit Police Department Vice Squad Unit served a search warrant at a manufacturing location which resulted in the seizure of 7,535 counterfeit and pirate CD-Rs along with 600 blanks, two eightbay CD-R towers, two stand alone burners, two laptop computers, one desktop computer, two printers and a handgun. The search warrant was the result of an arrest of a street vendor who gave information about the duplication operation to Detroit Police. January 2005, The Detroit Police Department executed a search and seizure warrant of a manufacturing location based on information provided by an arrested vendor. The search warrant served at a residence, led to the confiscation of 1,262 counterfeit/pirated CD-Rs, 23 burners, 277 DVD movies, 2 computers, 3 printers, and other equipment used in manufacturing CDs and DVDs. A 380-caliber handgun was also confiscated from the location. A warrant has been obtained for the arrests of the suspects.
Minnesota
On November 15, 2004, RIAA investigators conducted a voluntary surrender at a booth inside the Somali Mall Flea Market in Minneapolis. The vendor surrendered 1,500 CDRs and a 32x eight-bay CD-R tower along with 500 DVDs.
Missouri
On November 12, 2004, an alert Berkeley Police patrol officer who had read a previous RIAA antipiracy bulletin arrested a vendor in possession of 427 pirated CD-Rs and four CD-R burners, as well as possession of a controlled substance. Police are expecting to pursue misdemeanor charges.
On November 19, 2004, a St. Louis Metro Police patrol officer responded to a complaint about a street vendor selling unauthorized CDs. The officer discovered that the suspect drove to St. Louis from Chicago and had in his possession, 1,384 counterfeit CD-Rs and 739 counterfeit DVDs and was attempting to sell them in front of a White Castle hamburger restaurant. He was arrested on the scene and will be charged with a felony violation. This suspect also has charges pending for a February 2004 arrest in Pine Bluff, Arkansas where 17 burners and several thousand pieces of product were seized.
New Jersey
On December 3, 2004, personnel from the Mountainside Police Department, U.S. Customs, the U.S. Postal Service and RIAA executed a search warrant at a storage rental facility located in Union County. Approximately 1,000 bootleg and pirate DVDs and CD-Rs were seized which were allegedly shipped from Singapore. The subject of this investigation, a German citizen, was arrested on November 25 at Newark airport upon his arrival from Germany. The suspect is being held at the Morris County jail on $100,000 bail.
On November 22, 2004 a search warrant was conducted by the East Hanover Police Department at a storage rental facility located in Morris County. Members of the RIAA were present, along with U.S. Customs and U.S. Postal agents. Recovered were approximately 2,000 high-quality bootleg and pirate music DVDs and CD-Rs. The items were apparently shipped from Singapore. An arrest warrant was issued for the renter of the unit, who was subsequently arrested at Newark Airport on November 27, upon his arrival from Germany. The suspect, who is a German citizen, is currently being held at the Morris County Jail on $100,000 bail. U.S. Immigration is holding a detainer on this individual.
New York
On Thursday, January 13, 2005, the New York Police Department's 033 Precinct, assisted by the RIAA, executed a search warrant at 1306 St. Nicholas Avenue in Upper Manhattan. The illicit activity was taking place in the basement of a retail location, which was being used as a manufacturing and distribution point for unauthorized sound recordings on CD-R format. The police action resulted in the arrest of two individuals, who were charged with felony trademark offenses. Police seized 22,100 counterfeit/pirated CD-Rs . Also seized from the location were 16 CD burners (40x speeds) and 14 boxes of raw materials (labels, trays, and blank CD-Rs). The music seized was 100% Latin repertoire . The following is list of artists on the unauthorized sound recording seized: Alejandro Fernandez, Daddy Yankee, Tego Calderon, Don Omar, Juanes, Monchy & Alexandra, Luis Miguel and Antony Santos.
On December 28, 2004, the RIAA assisted Members of the New York Police Department's 110th Precinct in the execution of a Search Warrant at Hispanos Internacional Records in Queens, New York. The raid resulted in the arrest of two individuals and the seizure of 1,880 unauthorized sound recordings on molded CDs, along with $18,787 in U.S. Currency. The product seized was 100% Latin repertoire.
On December 8, 2004, the 84th Precinct of the New York Police Department completed enforcement of eight retail locations. Two suspects were arrested and 1,450 counterfeit and pirate CDs were seized. These locations will be subject to closing by nuisance abatement by NYPD Legal Division.
On December 9, 2004, the New York Police Department Organized Crime Investigations Unit executed a search warrant and seized 1,500 counterfeit CD-Rs, approximately 200,000 blank CD-Rs and DVD-Rs, 193 burners and postal money order receipts totaling over $1,500,000 for a six-month period. Four suspects were arrested.
On December 13, 2004, the 1st Precinct of the New York Police Department performed a civil seizure on Broadway in New York City resulting in the seizure of 52,000 counterfeit and pirate CD-Rs. The NYPD Legal Division will target this location for nuisance abatement.
On December 16, 2004, the Organized Crimes Investigations Division of the New York Police Department executed three search warrants on West 31st in New York City resulting in the arrest of four individuals and the seizure of 47,600 counterfeit and pirate CD-Rs.
On December 16, 2004, RIAA investigators assisted the New York Police Department Bronx District Attorneys Squad in the execution of a search warrant at a manufacturing location on White Plains Road. This action resulted in the arrest of one suspect and the seizure of 40 (16x) CD-R burners, 2,083 counterfeit and pirate CD-Rs, 2,400 counterfeit DVDs and 120 boxes of various raw materials including 6,000 blank CD-Rs. The suspect's van was also seized.
On December 17, 2004, the 13th Precinct of the New York Police Department executed two search warrants on Broadway in New York City resulting in the arrest of one suspect and the seizure 28,400 counterfeit CD-Rs.
On December 28, 2004, RIAA investigators assisted the New York Police Department 110th Precinct in the execution of a search warrant at Hispanos Internacional Records in New York City. Two suspects were arrested and 1,880 counterfeit CD-Rs and $18,787.00 USD were confiscated.
On Wednesday, December 01, 2004, the New York Police Department's Bronx Task Force, assisted by the RIAA, executed a search warrant at 1996 Gleason Avenue in the Bronx. The location (an apartment) was used as a distribution point, selling pirate music CD-Rs and DVDs to street vendors in Upper Manhattan and the Bronx. The police action resulted in two arrests for felony trademark offenses. This police action resulted in seizure of 19,650 Latin counterfeit/ pirated CD-Rs and 4,600 Latin music DVDs. Also seized was one box of labels, ten boxes of trays, 2 printers, 1 shrink wrapper machine with blower, 1 computer monitor and 1 label printing machine. The music seized was 100% of the Latin genre. The following is list of artists on the unauthorized sound recording seized: Juanes, Alejandro Fernandez, Tego Calderon , Don Omar, Paulina Rubio, Marco Antonio Solis, Frank Reyes and Antony Santos.
On December 1, 2004, RIAA investigators assisted the New York Police Department 84th Precinct with actions at two Brooklyn retail locations. These actions resulted in the arrest of two suspects and the seizure of 3,600 counterfeit and pirate CD-Rs.
On Wednesday, November 10, 2004, the New York Police Department's 33th Precinct, assisted by the RIAA, executed a search warrant at 3851 Broadway in Upper Manhattan. Individuals at the location, Frankie & Richie's Records, were manufacturing counterfeit/pirate cassettes and selling pirated music in CD, DVD and VHS formats. The police action resulted in three arrests and the seizure of 800 pirated CDs, 347 pirated VHSs, 231 DVDs and 450 Cassettes. In addition, police seized: 1 shrink wrap machine with blower, 2 Compact disc players, 1 mini disc player, 3 cassette players, 5 cassette duplicators and 1 amplifier. The unauthorized sound recording seized were all of the Latin music genre. The following is list of artists whose works were being pirated: Alex Bueno, Anthony Santo, Don Omar, Juan Luis Guerra, Yoshar Sorante, Charle Zaa, Elvis Martinez and Marc Anthony.
On November 4, 2004, the 5th Precinct of the New York Police Department executed three search warrants on Broadway in New York City resulting in the arrest of three suspects. In total, 60,400 counterfeit CD-Rs were seized. On November 10, 2004, the New York Police Department, 84th Precinct conducted enforcement action at two retail locations in Brooklyn that resulted in the arrest of two individuals and the seizure of 4,500 counterfeit CD-Rs and 2,500 pirated CDs.
On November 10, 2004, the New York Police Department's 33rd Precinct, assisted by the RIAA, executed a search warrant in Upper Manhattan at Frankie & Richie's Records. This location was found to be manufacturing counterfeit and pirate cassettes and selling CDRs and music videos. This police action resulted in the arrests of three suspects who were charged with felony trademark offenses. The police seized 800 pirate CD-Rs, 347 music VHS tapes, 231 pirate music DVDs and 450 pirate and counterfeit cassettes. Also seized from this location was a shrink wrap machine, two compact disc players, one mini disc player, three cassette players, five cassette duplicators and one amplifier.
On November 17, 2004, the New York City Police Department's Bronx Task Force, assisted by the RIAA, executed a search warrant at a location serving as a distribution point from a basement dwelling. This location was found to be selling counterfeit CD-Rs to street vendors in Upper Manhattan and in the Bronx. The police arrested and charged one suspect with felony trademark offenses. Seized from this location were 4,023 counterfeit and pirate CD-Rs.
On November 18, 2004, RIAA members assisted the New York Police Department's Manhattan DA's Squad in the execution of a search warrant at a manufacturing and distribution location in New York City. As a result, two individuals were arrested and nine (52x) burners were seized along with 2,000 counterfeit and pirate CD-Rs, 4,200 movie DVDs and 885 VHS tapes.
On November 18, 2004, the New York Police Department, 84th Precinct, assisted by RIAA, conducted two plain-view seizures at retail locations in Brooklyn following undercover purchases. As a result, two arrests were made and 1,100 counterfeit and pirate CD-Rs were seized.
On November 20, 2004, the Midtown South Precinct of the New York Police Department responded to an investigation of a burglar alarm at a New York City address and arrested an individual who was in possession of over 10,000 counterfeit and pirated CD-Rs. This location was a distribution center currently under investigation by the RIAA.
North Carolina
On December 1, 2004, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police, assisted by Agents for the North Carolina Secretary of State and RIAA investigators, executed two search warrants at La Providencia and Las Carolinas, two stores operated by the same owner. Seized during these raids were a total of 3,294 counterfeit and pirate CD-Rs. Felony charges are pending for the owner.
Ohio
On January 1, 2005, the Cleveland Ohio Police Department responded to two domestic violence calls from a female, at the same residence. The officers arrived at the residence and were greeted by a male who stated the female had left the property. The officers stated they needed to check the premises to determine there was no law enforcement assistance needed. During the search of the premises, the officers observed and confiscated 9 burners, 686 jewel cases, one computer, 2 printers and 400 blank CD-Rs. An RIAA Investigative Consultant was contacted and examined the seized property and the male was arrested.
On December 7, 2004, Cleveland Police apprehended a suspect after conducting surveillance on his vehicle in a search for drugs. Instead, officers found illegal recordings and equipment used for counterfeiting. Confiscated as a result were 135 pirated CD-Rs, a duplicator tower, 50 blank CD-Rs and an Epson Stylus copier/scanner/printer.
On November 11, 2004, a Cleveland storeowner was convicted and sentenced to 13 months in the Lorain Correctional Institution. The defendant was arrested in April of 2003 after the Cleveland Police issued a search warrant at his store. Seized at the time of his arrest were 13,860 counterfeit and pirated CD-Rs as well as 2,764 counterfeit cassette tapes. The U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement has begun proceedings to deport the defendant back to West Africa.
Pennsylvania
On December 2, 2004, the Philadelphia Police Department Northwest Detective Division, with the assistance from RIAA, executed three search warrants in result of a RIAA investigation. One warrant was executed at a retail location with another at the suspect's residence where he was manufacturing counterfeit CD-Rs. The third location was a storage facility where the defendant was storing and distributing the product. Three suspects were arrested and 54 CD-R burners, 2,000 insert cards and 9,626 counterfeit CD-Rs were recovered.
On December 22, 2004, the Philadelphia Police conducted an investigation of a silver Dodge van containing two occupants. During the search, the officers discovered nineteen cardboard boxes containing 782 counterfeit CD-Rs and 1,906 counterfeit DVDs. RIAA investigators examined the property and confirmed the contraband. Both suspects were arrested and charged with trademark counterfeiting. It is alleged that this van has been seen during surveillance at a suspected manufacturing and distributing location in West Philadelphia. The investigation is ongoing.
The Philadelphia Police Department, Northwest Detective Division, with the assistance of the RIAA, executed three search warrants at a retail location, residence and warehouse location. Seized during the warrants were 54 CD-R burners, 7 computer towers, 2,000 insert cards and over finished counterfeit and pirate 9,626 CD-Rs. Cash was also recovered from the above defendant's residence. Three arrests were made in association with the criminal actions.
On November 22, 2004, a Philadelphia man was sentenced to six months incarceration, two years probation, and ordered to pay $500 restitution to the RIAA as the result of a March 2004 arrest that resulted in the seizure of 72 CD-Rs.
On November 23, 2004, a Philadelphia man pled guilty to three felony charges and was sentenced to four years reporting probation and ordered to pay a total of $4,648 in restitution to the RIAA. This was the result of a third arrest which last occurred in May of 2004 by the Philadelphia Police Department for selling counterfeit and pirate sound recordings. Seized at the time of his arrest were 138 counterfeit CDRs.
Puerto Rico
On Sunday, December 19, 2004, the Puerto Rico Vice Squad seized 900 pirated/counterfeit CD-Rs from a vendor at the Mayaguez Flea Market in Puerto Rico. Three individuals were arrested and charged with violating Puerto Rico's True Name and Address Statute. All of the product seized consisted of Latin repertoire.
On Friday, November 12, 2004, the Negociable Investigadores Especiales (NIE), with assistance from the RIAA, conducted a raid in San Sebastian, Puerto Rico, where 2,000 counterfeit/pirate music recordings in CD-R format were seized. Four individuals were arrested and charged with violating Puerto Rico's True Name and Address Statute. All of the product seized consisted of Latin repertoire.
Texas
As part of the RIAA Holiday Blitz, on November 21, 2004, members of the Austin Police Department, assisted by the RIAA, conducted a seizure at and around El Gran Mercado flea market in Austin, Texas. 13,120 pirate CD-Rs were seized from 4 vendors. The vendors were charged with violation of Texas' True Name and Address statute. All music seized was of the Latin music genre including works from artists such as Bronco, Vicente Fernandez, ana Gabriel, and others.
On November 11, 2004, the Fort Worth Police Department executed a search warrant at A to Z, a retail store, and seized 1,669 pirate and counterfeit CD-Rs, 278 blank CD-Rs, three duplicating machines, and 142 DVD movies. One suspect was arrested and is pending charges for violating Texas True Name and Addess statutes.
On November 20, 2004, as part of the Holiday Blitz, the El Paso Police Department, assisted by the RIAA, conducted a raid of the Bronco Swap Meet. "Operation Bronco Buster" resulted in the seizure of 3,904 pirated CD-Rs from five booths and the arrest of eight suspects who will be charged with violating the Texas True Name and Address statute, a felony violation. Most of the local media outlets had extensive coverage of the operation.
On November 21, 2004, as part of RIAA's holiday enforcement initiative, members of the Austin Police Department, along with the RIAA, conducted a seizure at and around El Gran Mercado flea market in Austin. Seized were a total of 13,120 pirate CD-Rs from four vendors.
Virginia
On November 9, 2004, a Portsmouth man was convicted and sentenced to 12 months in Norfolk City Jail with 11 months suspended conditional of two years good behavior and restitution in the amount of $3,000 payable within two years. This was the result of a September 2004 arrest that resulted in the seizure of 180 counterfeit CD-Rs.