August 1, 2002 - Laurens, SC
A Laurens, South Carolina retail location was the target of an
investigation by the Laurens Police Department and the RIAA Anti-Piracy Unit.
The store was not only selling CD-Rs but also manufacturing them. Authorities
seized 1,482 alleged counterfeit CD-Rs, one CD-R burner, two printers, two
mixers, one scanner, one duplicating machine, and one computer. One suspect
was arrested and charged with the distribution of illegal recordings.
August 1, 2002 - Memphis, TN
94 alleged counterfeit CD-Rs were seized from a Memphis, Tennessee
convenience store after RIAA investigators observed several illicit recordings
in plain view. The Memphis Police Department quickly arrived at the scene to
provide assistance. The store was selling recordings from artists such as
Ashanti, Project Pat, Eminem, Gerald Levert, the Isley Brothers, Jaheim,
Makaveli and Lil Bow Wow for $9.
Two individuals were arrested by the Memphis, Tennessee Police
Department and charged with felony Criminal Simulation. The enforcement action
took place on the 5900 block of Winchester Avenue. 173 alleged counterfeit
CD-Rs were seized from the two suspects who were selling CD-Rs from the rear
of their vehicle. A sampling of seized artist recordings include works from
Sharissa, Jill Scott, Angie Stone, Lil Bow Wow, Eminem, Ashanti, Project Pat,
Gerald Levert, Nelly, Scarface, Nappy Roots and Truth Hurts.
August 2, 2002 - Baltimore, MD
Craig Wittenberg of Baltimore, Maryland was found guilty of
Counterfeit Trademarking and received a 90 day suspended sentence, one year
supervised probation and 50 hours community service. Mr. Wittenberg was
arrested in late June for selling counterfeit CD-Rs. 54 counterfeit
recordings including titles from Noreaga, Ann Nesby, Tweet and Raphael Saadiq
were seized.
August 2, 2002 - Pensacola, FL
The Escambia County Sheriff's Office seized 419 alleged counterfeit
sound recordings from a vendor soliciting along North Davis Highway in
Pensacola, Florida. The suspect was selling CD-Rs for $5 and tapes for as
little as $3. RIAA Anti-Piracy investigators were contacted to help identify
the illicit product.
August 3, 2002 - Birmingham, AL
Responding to a member company lead, the detectives from the
Birmingham, Alabama Police Department and RIAA Anti-Piracy investigators paid
a visit to the Birmingham Heritage Festival in an effort to stop vendors
selling suspect sound recordings. One vendor was arrested and 2,072 alleged
counterfeit CD-Rs were seized, including recordings from Mary J. Blige and
Yolanda Adams.
August 3, 2002 - Los Angeles, CA
The Los Angeles Police Department (Vice Officers), assisted by
investigators of the RIAA Anti-Piracy Unit, conducted actions in downtown Los
Angeles. LAPD Officers arrested ten vendors and seized over 3,800 alleged
unauthorized sound recordings and videocassettes. The actions took place on
Los Angeles Street between 5th & 7th Streets. All parties arrested were
charged with violation of California True Name and Address provisions the
California State Penal Code.
August 5, 2002 - Houston, TX
Acting on a member company lead, the RIAA Anti-Piracy Unit requested
the assistance of the Houston Police Department to detain a Cullen Boulevard
street vendor. Two suspects were arrested and 300 alleged counterfeit CD-Rs
and 408 alleged counterfeit cassettes were seized. Artist recordings offered
for sale included Mary Mary, Michelle Williams, 8-Ball, UGK, Trick Daddy and
Mary J. Blige.
August 6, 2002 - Ohio Court Verdicts
In an Ohio courtroom, Xio Huang of Flushing, New York was sentenced to
three years community control, 12 months in jail suspended and fined $1000 for
record piracy violations. Mr. Huang was arrested in December during
enforcement actions taken at the Turtle Creek Flea Market. A total of 1,200
counterfeit CD-Rs were confiscated from his possession.
Amer Abuaun of Lakewood, Ohio pled guilty to a one count felony charge
of Criminal Simulation and received one year intensive probation and 50 hours
community service. Mr. Abuaun was arrested by the Ohio State Highway Patrol in
April on a routine traffic stop and was found with 213 counterfeit CD-Rs in
his vehicle.
August 7, 2002 - New York, NY
Members of the NYPD's 46th Precinct, assisted by investigators from
the RIAA Anti-Piracy Unit, executed a search warrant at a Bronx apartment
suspected of being used as a distribution point for unauthorized sound
recordings. The warrant resulted in the arrest of two individuals and the
seizure of 35,380 alleged counterfeit CD-Rs and 10,000 counterfeit inserts.
100% of the seized product was of the Latin genre, consisting of artists such
as Paulina Rubio, Julio Iglesias, Alex Bueno, Tono Rosario, Alejandro
Fernandez, Anthony Santos, Raulin Rodriguez and Elvis Crespo. The two
subjects were charged with Trademark Counterfeiting and Failure to Disclose
the Origin of a Recording.
August 7, 2002 - St. Louis, MO
Alioun Thiam of St. Louis, Missouri pled guilty to state True Name and
Address charges and was sentenced to 2 years supervised probation and $4,000
restitution to the RIAA. In August of last year, 227 pirate cassettes, 169
pirate CD-Rs and 6 tape duplicators were seized from the Union Station Mall
location of Mr. Thiam's record store, Culture Vibes.
August 7, 2002 - Charlotte Hall, MD
Members of the Maryland State Police and RIAA Anti-Piracy Unit
investigators raided a popular Charlotte Hall, Maryland flea market.
Authorities discovered individuals not only selling unauthorized recordings,
but also burning the discs on-site. Four vendors were arrested and charged
with music piracy violations. A total of 2,929 alleged counterfeit CD-Rs and
one CD tower with 2 burners were seized during the enforcement action.
August 8, 2002 - Douglasville, GA
413 alleged pirate CD-Rs were confiscated from a vendor in
Douglasville, Georgia. The Douglas County Sheriff's Department arrested and
charged the individual with the Unauthorized Sale of Recorded Material. RIAA
Anti-Piracy investigators later attested to the piratical nature of the discs.
August 9, 2002 - Maywood, IL
A mom and pop grocery store that was selling Scarface before its
August 6th release date was served with a search warrant by the Maywood,
Illinois Police Department. RIAA Anti-Piracy investigators seized 309
alleged counterfeit and pirate CD-Rs from the location and one individual was
arrested and charged with Counterfeit Trademarking and Unlawful Use of a Sound
Recording.
August 9, 2002 - Rancho Dominguez, CA
Following a two month investigation, deputies from the Los Angeles
County Sheriff's Department, assisted by members of the RIAA Anti-Piracy Unit,
seized over 1,500 unauthorized CDs and CD-Rs in actions at the Del Amo Swap
Meet in Rancho Dominguez, CA. One person was taken into custody on felony
charges of Failure to Disclose the Origin of a Recording.
August 10, 2002 - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles Police Department's Rampart Vice Division conducted police
actions in the Alvarado & Wilshire District in Los Angeles. These actions
resulted in the seizure of over 5,000 unauthorized sound recordings. Eight
vendors were arrested, while the remaining five voluntarily surrendered their
product for destruction. The individuals were charged on the felony
provisions, Failure to Disclose the Origin of a Recording. Investigators from
the RIAA Anti-Piracy Unit assisted the Los Angeles Police Department during
these investigations and seized recordings of Vicente Fernandez, Los Tigres
Del Norte, Paulina Rubio, Selena, Olga Tanon and the Jaguares.
August 10, 2002 - Morristown, TN
The Hamblen County Police Department paid a visit to the I-81 Flea
Market in Morristown, Tennessee and arrested a 19 year old vendor for the sale
of illicit sound recordings. A total of 237 alleged pirate and counterfeit
Latin CD-Rs were seized.
August 11, 2002 - Fort Worth, TX
An individual selling suspicious-looking sound recordings at the
Henderson Bazaar in Fort Worth, Texas was detained by a member of the Fort
Worth Police Department. The officer had previously worked with RIAA
investigators in music piracy investigations and was aware of the indicators
in identifying illicit recordings. An attempt to bribe the officer with money
proved fruitless, as the vendor was charged with violating Texas' True Name
and Address statute. 1,856 alleged pirate CD-Rs and 23 masters were seized,
including recordings from Vicente Fernandez, Marco Antonio Solis and Los
Tucanes de Tijuana.
August 12, 2002 - New Jersey
A traffic stop on the New Jersey Turnpike by the New Jersey State
Police resulted in the arrest of a Baltimore, MD man found in possession of
suspect compact discs. The defendant was taken into custody and charged with
violating New Jersey's Anti-Piracy and Trademark Counterfeiting Acts. 311
alleged counterfeit and pirate CD-Rs were confiscated from the vehicle. RIAA
investigators were contacted to help examine the recordings. A sampling of
seized items includes works from Nelly, Eminem, the Isley Brothers, DMX and R.
Kelly.
August 13, 2002 - Sandusky, OH
Alfonz Clinton pled guilty to attempted criminal simulation and was
sentenced to one year probation. The subject was an employee of CR Music
Exchange in Sandusky, Ohio and was selling illicit CD-Rs in the retail store.
303 pirate recordings were seized from the location in February of this year.
August 13, 2002 - New York, NY
The NYPD executed a search warrant at a West 32nd Street apartment.
The enforcement action netted one arrest and the seizure of 8,880 alleged
counterfeit CD-Rs. Artist recordings seized included Patti LaBelle, Nelly,
Trick Daddy, Kirk Franklin, Ricky Martin and Enrique Iglesias. Later that
day, the NYPD executed a second warrant at a West 116th Street location.
Seven individuals were arrested and 8,400 alleged counterfeit CD-Rs were
confiscated, including titles from Marc Anthony, Enrique Iglesias, AZ, Tweet,
Eminem and Nelly.
August 14, 2002 - New York, NY
The NYPD executed a search warrant at a suspected distribution
location on West 28th Street and seized 25,000 alleged counterfeit sound
recordings. Authorities believe vendors could purchase product from the 11th
floor apartment for prices as low as $1.50 a disc. Marc Anthony, Shakira,
Ricky Martin, Enrique Iglesias, Marco Antonio Solis, Cheyanne, Thalia, Nelly,
Eminem, NAS, Mary J. Blige and Brandy were just a few of the artist recordings
found at the scene.
August 14, 2002 - Philadelphia, PA
A Philadelphia judge found 35-year-old Idrissa Nianghanie guilty of
the unauthorized transfer of recorded sounds, theft by deception and receiving
stolen property. The conviction is the result of a September arrest that
netted 468 counterfeit CD-Rs and cassettes. Sentencing will take place on
October 23rd.
August 15, 2002 - New York, NY
In response to a client lead, the RIAA Anti-Piracy Unit initiated an
investigation centering on a Roosevelt Avenue record store in Queens, New
York. It was reported that the location was packaging and distributing
illicit sound recordings in the basement. Members of the NYPD Queens
Intelligence Unit assisted by the RIAA Anti-Piracy investigators executed a
search warrant at the retail store, which resulted in the arrest of five
individuals and the seizure of 2,700 alleged pirate CD-Rs and 20,000 CD-R
inserts. The suspects were charged with Failure to Disclose the Origin of a
Recording.
August 15, 2002 - Chicago, IL
A 46-year-old man pled guilty to misdemeanor charges of trademark
counterfeiting and was sentenced to six months probation. Samir Jaser was
arrested by the Chicago Police Department in July after the RIAA Anti-Piracy
Unit received notice from a client that Mr. Jaser's retail store was selling
illicit sound recordings. 865 counterfeit CD-Rs were seized from the
location.
August 15, 2002 - Columbus, NJ
The New Jersey State Police and RIAA Anti-Piracy Unit raided the
Columbus Farmer's Market in efforts to deter the sale of infringing sound
recordings. Four subjects were arrested and charged with violation of New
Jersey's Anti-Piracy and Trademark Counterfeiting Acts. A total of 647
alleged counterfeit and pirate CD-Rs were confiscated during the enforcement
action.
August 18, 2002 - Baltimore, MD
A vendor at the North Point Flea Market in Baltimore, MD was the
target of a raid by the Baltimore County Police Department. The vendor was
arrested and 917 alleged counterfeit CD-Rs were seized. Charges are pending
against the individual who was selling a wide variety of CD-Rs of top-selling
acts such as Ashanti, Avril Lavigne, Aaliyah, Angie Martinez, Aaron Carter,
the Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Celine Dion, Paulina
Rubio, Amerie, Marco Antonio Solis, Counting Crows, Enya and Enrique Iglesias.
August 20, 2002 - New York, NY
The NYPD, assisted by the RIAA Anti-Piracy Unit, executed a search
warrant in the Washington Heights area of Manhattan. The location raided was
an apartment in a high-rise building, which was used for the manufacturing of
counterfeit Latin CD-Rs in addition to a dwelling. One arrest was affected
and 2 towers containing eight 8-speed burners and approximately 4,000 alleged
counterfeit CD-Rs were seized. Some of the artists copied were Tony Rosario,
Tito Gomez, Louis Segura, Marc Anthony, Julio Iglesias and Enrique Iglesias.
August 22, 2002 - Philadelphia, PA
The 35th District of the Philadelphia Police Department seized product
from a vendor on the corner of 65th and Wyncote Avenue. The individual was
selling suspect recordings of artists such as Mario, Ludacris, Eminem and
Tweet. 510 alleged counterfeit and pirate CD-Rs and cassettes were seized,
and the suspect was arrested and charted with Trademark Counterfeiting and
True Name and Address violations.
August 24, 2002 - Las Cruces, NM
Members of the New Mexico State Police, Las Cruces Police Department
and the RIAA Anti-Piracy conducted plain view and consent searches at the Big
Daddy Flea Market in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Four of the seven targeted
vendors were apprehended. A total of 1,142 pirate and counterfeit CD-Rs were
seized. Seized product consisted of Latin and Urban Contemporary from artists
such as Jay-Z, Los Tigres Del Norte, Mana and Mary J. Blige. A verbal warning
was given to the flea market owner.
August 24, 2002 - Albuquerque, NM
Agents from the New Mexico Department of Public Safety, assisted by
RIAA Anti-Piracy investigators, executed two search warrants and also
conducted plain view seizures at two Albuquerque flea markets. The first
search warrant was carried out at an area mail-drop business. Seized from the
location were three 16-speed burners, two computers, 760 alleged counterfeit
CD-Rs, 148 alleged pirate CD-Rs, 268 master CDs and various manufacturing raw
materials. The storeowner was arrested and charged with violating New
Mexico's True Name and Address statute. If the burners were operated eight
hours a day, 5 days a week, as many as 74,880 illicit CD-Rs could have been
manufactured, resulting in a potential annual loss of $1,123,200 to the
industry.
The second search warrant was executed at a residence in Rio Rancho, New
Mexico. The suspect, who operated a booth at the Star Flea Market, was
apprehended at the market for violating New Mexico's True Name and Address
Statute. Agents seized 8,246 alleged pirate CD-Rs from the vendor's booth.
The following items were seized from the suspect's residence: three computers,
three CD-R burners, one scanner, one color printer, 1,448 master CDs, 123
alleged pirate CD-Rs and raw manufacturing and packaging materials such as
jewel cases and labels. If the burners were operated 16 hours a day, five
days a week, as indicated by the suspect, approximately 138,667 alleged
illicit CD-Rs could have been produced, leading to a potential annual loss of
$2,080,005 to the industry. In addition, a second vendor was caught selling
illicit music at the flea market. 219 alleged pirate CD-Rs were seized in
plain view. Charges will be filed against the vendor at a later date.
The day was not yet over, as three vendors at Louie's Flea Market were found
with unauthorized sound recordings. Agents seized a total of 2,217 alleged
pirate CD-Rs from the three individuals who were all arrested and charged with
True Name and Address violations. Among the artist recordings confiscated
were Paulina Rubio, Marco Antonio Solis, Alejandro Fernandez, Eminem and Jay
Z.
August 25, 2002 - Atalla, AL
A vendor was arrested by the Etowah Sheriff's Office at the Mountain
Top Flea Market in Atalla, Alabama. A total of 1,677 alleged CD-Rs were
seized in plain view. It is reported that the suspect also distributed
illicit sound recordings to various flea markets in southern Tennessee and
northern Alabama. Charges are currently pending.
August 28, 2002 - Philadelphia, PA
Officers from the Philadelphia Police Department and the RIAA
Anti-Piracy Unit conducted a sweep of street vendors along the 52nd Street
business corridor. A sampling of recordings seized included releases from
Nelly, Boyz II Men, Slum Village, Shaggy and Styles. 738 alleged unauthorized
sound recordings were seized from two vendors. The two suspects were arrested
and charged with state music piracy violations.
Galo Saidou of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was placed in a New Jersey
pre-trial intervention program as a result of a February arrest in which 346
counterfeit and pirate CD-Rs were seized from his booth at a Vineland, NJ flea
market. Mr. Saidou will be in the intervention program for one year and will
also be fined.
August 29, 2002 - New York, NY
Members of the NYPD Staten Island Intel Unit executed a search warrant
at two distribution locations in midtown, which resulted in the arrest of four
individuals. More than 26,400 alleged counterfeit CD-Rs were seized. Among
them included releases from Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Brandy, Usher, Trick
Daddy, Nelly and P. Diddy.
August 29, 2002 - Omaha, NB
Piracy reared its ugly head in America's Heartland, as the Omaha,
Nebraska Police Department, assisted by the RIAA Anti-Piracy Unit, conducted
search warrants at a retail store as well as the storeowner's residence. The
case originated from a client complaint concerning the store's possible
involvement in the distribution and sale of counterfeit and pirate Latin
music. Seized from the retail location was one CD-R burner, 3,251 alleged
counterfeit CD-Rs, one scanner, one printer and one computer. The following
items were confiscated from the suspect's home: 12 CD-R burners, 497 alleged
counterfeit CD-Rs, 400 masters, one color printer, one disc printer, two
computers, one printer/copier/scanner and one dual cassette duplicator. In
addition to Nebraska True Name and Address charges, a felony mischief charge
is being reviewed.
August 29, 2002 - Clearwater, FL
The FDLE, assisted by the Custom's Office in Tampa, Florida and RIAA
Anti-Piracy Unit investigators executed two search warrants at a commercial
factory and retail store in Clearwater, FL. A total of 160,000 alleged
bootleg CD-Rs and 38 burners were seized at the factory, while an additional
1,500 alleged bootleg CD-Rs were confiscated from the store. Artist
recordings found included Phish, Dave Matthews Band, the Beatles, Pearl Jam
and Led Zeppelin. The case started out as a retail store raid in Mason City,
Iowa and led to an multi-state investigation with seizures in Arizona and
Florida.
August 30, 2002 - New York, NY
The U.S. Secret Service, NYPD, and the RIAA Anti-Piracy
Unit executed seven search warrants at three locations in the Bronx and
Queens. The actions resulted in the seizure of 150,650 alleged counterfeit
and pirate sound recordings. The breakdown is as follows:
Location 1: Bronx address distributing Latin repertoire (Enrique Iglesias,
Luis Miguel, Paulina Rubio, Tito Rojas, Marc Anthony, and Pedro Fernandez to
name a few); 26,700 alleged counterfeit CD-Rs seized; 2 arrests made.
Location 2: Four federal search warrants executed at a Queens storage
facility; 89,750 alleged illicit CD-Rs seized (i.e., Santana, Tito Rojas,
Enrique Iglesias, Celia Cruz, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Ana Gabriel, Charlie Zaa,
and Christina Aguilera). The investigation is currently ongoing.
Location 3: Two search warrants carried out at a major New York distributor;
11 individuals arrested and 34,200 alleged counterfeit/pirate CD-Rs seized
(Tono Rosario, Enrique Iglesias, Jennifer Lopez, P-Diddy, Trick Daddy, LL Cool J).