RIAA Anti-Piracy Seizure Information
Alabama | California | Colorado | Florida | Georgia | Louisiana | DC/Maryland | Missouri | New York | North Carolina | South Carolina | Texas | Virginia | Dominican Republic
Alabama
August 8, 2003 – DRG received information from Inv. Jim Holder regarding apprehension of one subject. A Warrior Al police officer apprehended subject transporting counterfeit CD’R’s. Police officer stopped subject on I-65 northbound in the city limits of Warrior. Subject was issued a warning citation for obstructed view and weaving then taken to police headquarters for an interview. Subject stated that he was headed to Huntsville Al then on to Kentucky for a festival. Subject was released and Det. Corey Archer (Warrior PD,215 Main St Warrior Al 35180), will obtain an arrest warrant. On 08-13-03 Inv Jim Holder traveled to Warrior, conducted an inventory and indentified the product as being counterfeit. DRG forwarded information in AP Arrest/Seizure Report.
California
August 6, 2003 – Investigators from the San Bernardino County District Attorney-s Office arrested one subject for Sound Recording Piracy and Bootlegging. The arrest took place in Chino, CA. Culminating a six-month investigation, subject was arrested in the sting operation after selling illegal bootleg recordings to undercover investigators at the scene. The RIAA, WRO Investigators assisted in the investigation. Defendant is accused of audio and video taping live concerts throughout the United States, without the concert of the artist or labels involved. Subject would then reproduce the recordings in large quantities and sell the Compact Discs/Video Tapes. It is estimated that the machinery, which was seized at his Tustin residence, was capable of producing approx., $1.5 million per year in potential revenue loss to the recording industry. The defendant was booked and bail was set at $25,000.00. The investigation continues.
August 10, 2003 – Detective Mark Faulhaber, Adams County Sheriff’s Office, arrested one subject for violation of Colorado’s TNA for selling counterfeit CD-Rs at the Mile High Flea Market in Henderson, CO. 544 counterfeit CD-Rs were seized. The inventory was of the Latin genre and included artists such as Joan Sebastian, Thalia, Los Huracanes del Norte and others. Affidavit was sent to Det. Faulhaber on 8/18/03.
Colorado
August 10, 2003 – Detective Mark Faulhaber, Adams County Sheriff’s Office, arrested one subject for violation of Colorado’s TNA for selling counterfeit CD-Rs at the Mile High Flea Market in Henderson, CO. 544 counterfeit CD-Rs were seized. The inventory was of the Latin genre and included artists such as Joan Sebastian, Thalia and Los Huracanes del Norte.
Florida
August 9, 2003– A court-ordered search warrant was executed by the FDLE Domestic Terrorism Task Force at Omar’s Department Store in Immokalee, Florida. One male subject was arrested under Florida Statute 540.11.3a3 and 178 pirate CD-Rs were seized of which 40% was Urban repertoire and 60% consisted of Latin repertoire representing labels such as Universal and Warner Music Latina.
August 9, 2003 – A court-ordered search warrant was executed by the FDLE Domestic Terrorism Task Force at Jamil Records Inc. in Immokalee, Florida. One male subject was arrested under Florida Statute 540.11.3a3 and 175 pirate CD-Rs were seized consisting of 90% Urban and 10% Latin repertoire and representing labels such as EMI Latin and Arista.
Georgia
August 2nd, 2003 – RIAA accompanied by deputies of the Clayton County SO took anti-piracy actions at the National Roundup 2003, a black biker-s conference that was being held at the Georgia International Convention Center. Six vendors were approached both inside and outside of the building and approximately 2,500 pirated CD-Rs were seized and destroyed by the Clayton Co. Sheriff-s Dept. The College Park Police Dept. assisted us as we handed out C&D letters to the others in the parking and prevented approx. 10,000 illegal CD-Rs from being sold.
August 19, 2003 – One subject was arrested after DeKalb Co. Police were called to respond to a suspicious person soliciting inside the Kroger Citi-Center. The complainant, Frederick Reid, stated that two black males were selling music CDs in front of Kroger. One of the suspects had a list of items for sale and when they found a customer they would communicate via radio. The other suspect would bring the merchandise from their van, a white chevy van with GA tag 926 GTR. Mr. Reese admitted that he and another subject, Mr. Sabir, were selling cds. Refer to case DRG-030112, 2nd subject arrested on 8/19/02. DRG met with Dekalb county property clerk David Moyers and examined the evidence in this case. An affidavit has been prepared and sent to Carpie Smith at the Dekalb County Court House.
August 19, 2003 – DRG was contacted by the Atlanta PD who stated that they had responded to that location reference a burglary tool complaint. Upon entering this location, they discovered thousands of illegal CDs for sale and contacted the RIAA. The Fulton County D.A.’s office told Inv. Bolden and Cooper that they could take a few samples and destroy the remainder of the product. DRG directed workers to box up approx. 145,815 illegal CD-Rs. These CD-Rs will be taken to the Fulton County dump and destroyed. One subject was arrested at the scene and transported to the Atlanta PD and charged with violating 16-8-60.
Louisiana
August 6, 2003 – (July 2003) Members of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office made buys of infringing CDs and DVD movies from Mike’s Discount Store (ref DRG-030147). DRG was contacted by Sgt Mark Berggren from the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. DRG assigned Inv. Steve Wallner to this case. Inv. Wallner made contact with Sgt Berggren and assisted them with the execution of a search warrant on 8-06-03. The search warrant revealed 847 CD-R’s, 500 blank CDs and 10 CD burners (52xspeed).
D.C./Maryland
August 1, 2003 -At approximately 1130 hours, Paul Bressler received a request for assistance from Baltimore County Police Officer C. Brumfitt. She was preparing to serve a search warrant on a vehicle that she believed had a large quantity of counterfeit CDs in the trunk. Brumfitt had never done one of these cases before and was referred to us by Det Morgan Hassler. Agent responded to assist with execution of warrant. A total of 1,615 counterfeit CDs were found in the vehicle. All were CD-R format/urban genre. Brumfitt had arrested one subject on the prior evening for marijuana possession. The defendant told Brumfitt about the CDs in his car during the interview process. Agent obtained custody of and secured evidence.
August 2, 2003 – Michael Robinson was found guilty of one count of Counterfeit TM: $1000 or less. He received 18 months suspended sentence and one year probation. As part of his probation, he must complete 100 hours of community service and pay $315 in fines and court costs. ASA Pam Cheung. Judge Roger Brown.
Missouri
August 1, 2003 – Officers with the St. Louis Police Department seized 434 counterfeit CD-Rs from a street vendor in a high traffic area of St. Louis Missouri. This location has been the subject of frequent complaints. Consistent dialogue and periodic surveillance between the RIAA, the 9th Patrol District and STL PD Fraud detectives led to this action being taken. TNA and felony counterfeiting charges are pending with the St. Louis County Circuit Attorney’s office against one subject. Artists consisted of R. Kelly, Barry White and Luther Vandross.
New York
August 14, 2003 – Defendant Mohammed Sow was sentenced to 5 yrs. prison – 3 yrs supervised probation and $125,000 in fines. Upon sentencing, the defendant was immediately remanded.
North Carolina
August 5, 2003 – The NC Secretary of State-s Office and the NC Alcohol Law Enforcement Division raided three convenience stores in Greensboro, NC. The raids came after information was developed in regard to the selling of counterfeit trademark merchandise from the facilities. Approximately 1,500 pirate CD-Rs were seized and two individuals arrested by law enforcement.
South Carolina
August 1, 2003 – The Greenwood County SO arrested one subject after serving a search warrant on his home. They recovered a small bedroom-type manufacturing operation. One burner (speed unknown) and about 3,000 completed CD-Rs were seized.
Texas
August 2, 2003 – Bexar Co. Sheriff and Texas DPS officials, assisted by members of the RIAA, conducted plainview seizures at four booths located at the Northwest Center Flea Market in San Antonio, Texas. 4,772 piratical CD-Rs were seized from the booths. Five persons will be charged with violating Texas’ True Name and Address statute. Among the artists whose works were being pirated were Metallica, Los Tigres del Norte, Juanes, Aniceto Molina and other popular artists.
August 10, 2003 – Acting on an anonymous tip from a Hispanic/male caller, RIAA went to Universo Musical Store, Dallas, TX, and observed on the counter several hundred boxes containing CD-Rs with various titles handwritten on them. These CD-Rs were contained in colored, slim jewel cases. After purchasing sample copies, the owner surrendered the inventory of illicit product voluntarily. A total of 600 piratical CD-Rs were surrendered, all Latin genre. El Poder del Norte, Banda el Recodo, Aracely Arámbula and other popular artists were among those whose works were being pirated
August 19, 2003 – Members of the Houston Police Department and the RIAA, conducted a buy/bust on one subject and seized 4,211 pirate CD-Rs. The defendant was a distributor of CD-Rs to vendors at local nightclubs in the Houston, TX area. He was arrested and charged with violation of Texas’ TNA. His entire inventory was of the Urban Contemporary genre containing artists such as Tyrese, 50 Cent, 2Pac, Jay Z and others.
August 19, 2003 – Members of the Houston Police Department and the RIAA conducted a buy/bust on a subject and seized 341 pirate CD-Rs. The defendant, who was a CD-R distributor, was arrested and charged with a violation of Texas’ TNA. His entire inventory was of the Urban Contemporary genre with artists such as R. Kelly, Mystikal, Monica, The Isley Brothers and others.
August 21/22, 2003 – The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, assisted by investigators for the RIAA and MPAA, executed two search warrants and a consent to search at three different residences connected in a manufacturing and distributing operation. At one residence, recovered were approximately 100 piratical CD-Rs, a CD burner, and other pirated movies. At the second location, approximately 50 pirated CD-Rs were seized. The suspect at the second residence led officers to the third residence where he confessed to having moved his manufacturing equipment. A consent to search was obtained for the third residence resulting in the seizure of 300+ pirated CDs, a tower equipped with 10 CD burners, and other pirated movies and DVD burner. All suspects will be charged with violating Texas’ True Name and Address Statute.
Virginia
August 16, 2003 – West Virginia State Police and IC Adkins seized 75 illicit discs from one subject. The defendant was charged with a misdemeanor and gave up valuable information on her suppliers as well as a retail/manufacturer in Bluefield, WV.
Dominican Republic
August 5, 2003 – Police authorities in Santo Domingo advised that a total of 14,139 pirate/counterfeit CD-Rs and cassettes were seized in street raids conducted 7/31/03. All illicit product seized was Latin music.
August 15, 2003 – ADOPROFONO, assisted by the RIAA, seized 9,000 pirate/counterfeit CD-Rs and 5,400 cassettes in Santo Domingo. Record labels of the confiscated products include Fonovisa, Sony Discos, Universal, Warner Music Latina, and J & N and 100% of the product is Latin.