Arizona
On November 17, 2003, a Phoenix man was sentenced in Maricopa County Superior Court to two years felony probation, a $5,000 fine and $5,000 in restitution based upon his possession of 2,000 CDs that were seized in January of 2003.
California
On November 14, 2003, a Highland Park music store was the target of a search warrant by the LAPD that resulted in the seizure of 1,056 counterfeit and pirate recordings. Also confiscated at the scene were approximately two pounds of cocaine and three pounds of marijuana. One suspect was arrested and charged on felony drug and music piracy charges.
On December 12, 2003, the RIAA coordinated efforts with detectives from the LAPD Commercial Crimes Division to crack down on the sale of counterfeit product in the Santee Alley area of the Garment District. The operation required the efforts of approximately one hundred LAPD personnel and RIAA investigators. A total of twelve locations were targeted, four of which to serve search warrants for unauthorized sound recordings. 1,410 counterfeit sound recordings were seized and one vendor was arrested. Arrest wa
rrants are pending for three additional music vendors. Counterfeit hats, sportswear, sunglasses and purses were confiscated from the remaining eight locations.
Between December 4 and December 30, 2003, the West Regional Office of the RIAA Anti-Piracy Unit had 12 teams in the field on a daily basis. As a result of both voluntary surrenders and criminal actions, a total of 254,442 discs were recovered. The majority of the seizures (70%) took place in California.
September 27, 2003 - Following a complaint from Disa Records, officers from the Los Angeles Police department assisted by Investigators from the RIAA, arrested one female in the area of Laurel Canyon and Van Nuys Blvds. The suspect was offering for sale unauthorized cd’s of various Latin Artists. Officers seized 1,873 cd’s.
Colorado
On December 13, 2003, the Denver Police, assisted by members of the RIAA, conducted a plainview seizure of a street vendor located at the rear - outside of Fashion Q Mart in Denver. One suspect was observed selling piratical product and having a display shelf with 170 piratical CDs in addition to 376 additional piratical CD-Rs seized from the trunk of his vehicle. A total of 546 piratical CDs were seized, all in the latin genre.
Connecticut
On December 4, 2003, the New Haven Police Department assisted members of the RIAA in a plain view seizure at Latino Records resulting in one arrest and the seizure of 300 Pirate CD-Rs.
On December 5, 2003, the RIAA assisted the New Britain Police Department in the execution of a search warrant resulting in one arrest and the seizure of 30,000 piratical CD-Rs.
On December 8, 2003, RIAA members assisted the Bridgeport Police Department in the arrest of a distributor and two workers, working out of a van resulting in the seizure of 6,800 counterfeit and pirate CD-Rs and 1,650 DVDs.
District of Columbia
On December 16, 2003, multiple seizures were made at various locations in SE and NW Washington D.C. in coordination with members of the RIAA and the Metropolitan Police Department. As a result, eight vendors were arrested and 3,915 counterfeit CD-Rs and 383 counterfeit DVDs were seized.
On December 20, 2003, the Washington Metropolitan Police Department coordinated an operation with the US Park Police, Metro Transit Police, the MPAA and the RIAA at the RFK Stadium Flea Market. Five suspects were taken into custody and an unknown number of vendors fled. Seized during this action were approximately 21,500 unauthorized sound recordings and 2,000 unauthorized DVDs.
Florida
On November 14, 2003, the RIAA conducted a voluntary surrender of counterfeit CD-Rs on a flea market vendor at the Swap Shop Flea Market in Sunrise. A total of 971 counterfeit and pirate CD-Rs were voluntarily handed over.
On November 26, 2003, the Hialeah Police Department, assisted by the RIAA, seized 290 counterfeit CD-Rs, two 52X speed burners, and a color copier from a street vendor. One individual was arrested.
On November 21, 2003, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Economic Crimes Unit, with assistance from the RIAA, conducted an operation at the King's Flea Market and seized approximately 3,500 sound recordings. Five individuals were arrested and charged. All of the product seized consisted of the urban genre.
On December 19, 2003, the Tampa Police Department, assisted by the RIAA, seized 3,170 counterfeit/pirated CD-Rs from a street vendor. One suspect was arrested.
On December 20, 2003, the Riviera Beach Police Department, assisted by the RIAA, seized 14,790 counterfeit and pirated CD-Rs, 513 counterfeit cassettes, 3 burners (52X), and 5 vehicles from five individuals selling from the Riviera Beach Swap Shop, Palm Beach. The suspects were arrested accordingly.
Illinois
On December 4, 2003, the Aurora Police Department, with members of the RIAA conducted a plain view seizure. The suspect assisted the police and RIAA in the boxing of CD-Rs for removal. 2,348 piratical CD-Rs were seized.
On December 10 and 11, 2003, four retail store owners in Chicago voluntarily surrendered counterfeit sound recordings and duplication equipment to representative from the RIAA and EMI Arabic Music. A total of 1,950 CD-Rs, 1,050 counterfeit cassettes, 8 cassette duplicators, and 13,550 insert cards were confiscated during the 2 day seizure.
On December 16, 2003, the RIAA assisted members of the Chicago Police Department in the execution of a search warrant. The location was identified as an illegal manufacturing location that was supplying numerous street vendors in the Chicago area. The owner was not present at the time the warrant was executed. A total of 5,550 Pirate CD-Rs, two computers, 56 (24x) CD-R burners, 500 CD-R blanks, 600 inserts, 2,000 library boxes, two printers, and two scanners were seized from this location. An arrest for the
owner of the location is pending.
Maryland
On November 6, 2003, the Maryland State Police responded to an accident on I-95 in Maryland. At the time of the accident, one suspect was transporting 1,404 counterfeit CD-Rs, various DVD and VHS tapes and over $10,000.00 in counterfeit currency. All of the contraband was seized.
On November 18, on a covert narcotics enforcement detail in the Woodmoor Shopping Center, Baltimore County Police Detectives observed a suspect selling CDs out of his vehicle. After an undercover purchase, the defendant was arrested and 214 counterfeit CDs were confiscated.
On November 18, 2003, a Baltimore man was found guilty of two counts of Counterfeit Trademark and one count of Unauthorized Sale. He received $255 in fines and was ordereded to pay restitution in the amount of $1,500 at a rate of $125 a month through parole and probation.
On November 23, 2003, Baltimore Police arrested two suspects for selling counterfeit CD-Rs and open warrants. 570 CD-Rs and 433 DVDs were seized. The same officer arrested one of the suspects at the same location in September.
On November 23, 2003, Baltimore Police, assisted by the RIAA, seized 122 Counterfeit CD-Rs and 338 DVDs from a vendor. An arrest warrant is pending.
On November 25, 2003, as a result of an open container violation, Baltimore Police seized 131 counterfeit CD-Rs and 30 counterfeit DVDs and arrested one suspect.
On November 26, 2003, while on routine patrol, Baltimore Police arrested one suspect for selling counterfeit CDs out of a purple canvass bag to passers-by. Sixty-seven counterfeit CDs were seized.
On November 28, 2003, Baltimore Police observed a suspect displaying CDs for sale at the McDonalds in the 5100 Block of York Road. The suspect could not produce a peddler’s license and was placed under arrest. Search incident to arrest revealed 41 counterfeit CD-Rs.
On December 20, 2003, the Baltimore Police Department, with assistance from RIAA, conducted an operation at the Patapsco Flea Market. As a result, 8,276 Counterfeit CD-Rs, 895 Counterfeit DVDs and 196 Counterfeit VHS tapes were seized. Five suspects were arrested and three suspects fled but were subsequently identified and warrants will be issued at a later date. An unidentified vendor, who fled the scene abandoned a computer with two CD-R burners that was used to make illicit recordings to order. All of t
he equipment was seized.
Michigan
On December 11, 2003, one suspect was a target of a Detroit Police Department investigation regarding stolen merchandise. After an arrest for possession of stolen property, the police discovered the subject was illegally burning CD-Rs in a back room of his store. Seized were 2,327 counterfeit CD-Rs along with 24 burners, a computer, fax machine, copier and shrink wrap machine. A criminal case is pending.
Missouri
On December 13, 2003, after a long term investigation, members of the St. Louis County Police Vice and Tactical Units, with assistance from the RIAA conducted plain view seizures of pirated music at Frison's Flea Market in suburban St. Louis. Thirteen vendors were arrested and four are at large from 11 separate booths. Nearly 20,000 pieces of product were recovered including a total of 17 CD-R burners from four separate vendors.
On December 22, 2003, St. Louis City Police arrested a street vendor and seized 526 pirate CD-Rs and 9 DVDs. The suspect admitted to police that he burned them at home after downloading them from Kazaa. He was arrested for driving with a suspended license and for not having a vending permit.
New Jersey
On November 7, 2003, a Camden man was sentenced to 5 years incarceration and ordered to pay $2,500 in restitution. This was the result of an April seizure that yielded 896 Counterfeit and Pirate CD-Rs.
On November 18, 2003, a Fort Lee woman was sentenced to a 6 month Pre Trial Intervention (PTI) Program and ordered to pay $75.00 to the Violent Crimes Compensation Board and $30.00 to the Safe Neighborhood Fund. Restitution in the amount of $5,000.00 was also ordered to be paid before the six month PTI period. The defendant was arrested in July 2003 for selling bootleg Barbara Streisand DVDs from a New Jersey P.O. Box.
On November 18, 2003, the Vineland Police Department executed a search warrant at a retail location which resulted in the arrest of the owner and one employee, along with a seizure of 3,842 pirate CD-Rs, 13 CD-R burners, two computers, two printers, two scanners and 1,400 jewel cases.
New York
On November 17, 2003, in the City of Passaic, a defendant was fined $500.00 and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $1,500. This defendant was a vendor found to be in possession of 226 pirated CD-Rs.
On November 18, 2003, the RIAA assisted the NYPD in the execution of a search warrant at The Variety Store in Astoria. This resulted in the arrest of one suspect and the seizure of 717 counterfeit compact discs.
On November 20, 2003, a search warrant was executed by the NYPD with the assistance of the RIAA which resulted in one arrest and seizure of 7,350 CD-Rs and 310 Music DVDs. The suspect was arrested and charged with felony trademark violations. This location was a distributor in the Bronx and was supplying vendors in Upper Manhattan & Bronx areas.
On November 20, 2003, the NYPD executed two search warrants, the first resulting in the arrest of eight individuals and the seizure of 7,200 counterfeit CD-Rs. The genre of music was approximately 60% rock and 40% urban. The Peddler Unit of the NYPD executed a search warrant at the second location resulting in the arrest of one suspect and the seizure of 38,800 counterfeit CDs.
On November 21, 2003, Suffolk City Police Department arrested one suspect who was selling counterfeit and pirate CD-Rs from his vehicle. The suspect consented to a search of his home, where four CD burners were discovered. Items seized included 1,500 CD-Rs (750 counterfeit, 750 pirate), four burners, one color copier, 650 counterfeit labels, one personal computer and 500 blank CD-Rs.
On November 25, 2003, a search warrant was executed by the OCID Trademark Unit with the assistance of the RIAA which resulted in one arrest and seizure of 10,600 CD-Rs and 400 Music DVDs. One suspect was arrested and charged. This location was a distributor in the Bronx and was supplying vendors in Upper Manhattan & Bronx areas.
On November 25, 2003, the NYPD arrested one suspect after stopping his pick up truck and observing 1,300 counterfeit/pirate CD-Rs under a tarp in the truck bed area.
On November 30, 2003, the NYPD seized 530 CD-Rs from four vendors. One suspect was arrested, one served a summons, and two of the vendors fled the scene abandoning their product.
On December 2, 2003, the RIAA assisted the NYPD in a plain view seizure of a distribution location resulting in the seizure of 44,000 counterfeit/pirate CD-Rs.
On December 2, 2003, the RIAA assisted the Waterfront Commission in a plain view seizure of a distribution location resulting in the seizure of 1,440 counterfeit and pirate CD-Rs.
On December 10, 2003, the RIAA assisted the NYPD in the execution of two search warrants in Queens. This action resulted in the arrest of four individuals at the first location and the seizure of four towers containing 32 52X speed burners, one mirage printer, approximately 6,200 pieces of finished product, and miscellaneous raw materials. The second warrant was executed at a location operating as distributor in conjunction with the manufacturing location listed above. Seized at this location were 27,800 co
unterfeit and pirated CD-Rs.
On December 16, 2003, RIAA assisted the NYPD in a plain view seizure at El Mundo resulting in one arrest and the seizure of 1,800 pirate cassettes and 390 counterfeit and pirate CD-Rs.
Ohio
On November 6, 2003, a Clevland man plead guilty and was sentenced to 2 years supervised probation, 100 hours of community service, submission to random drug testing and must pay $7,012.50 in restitution as a result of an April arrest and seizure that yielded 925 Counterfeit CD-Rs, one Printer, one Scanner, a 9mm Pistol, and six CD-R burners.
Oklahoma
On December 23, 2003, Oklahoma City Police arrested one suspect subsequent to a traffic stop where 100 pirate CD-Rs and related manufacturing equipment were recovered. Felony charges are pending.
Pennsylvania
On November, 18, 2003, a search warrant was executed at a retail location by the Horsham Township Police Department resulting in the arrest of the owner and the seizure of 2,030 illicit sound recordings.
On December 4, 2003, the RIAA responded to a request by the Philadelphia Police regarding their observation of a subject selling what they believed to be counterfeit music CDs and movies. The suspect was arrested and 1,010 counterfeit music CD-Rs and several hundred motion picture DVDs and VHS tapes were seized.
South Carolina
On December 13, 2003, a plain view seizure was conducted at Anderson Jockey Lot where 1,922 counterfeit CD-Rs and 244 counterfeit DVDs were seized. One person was arrested.
Texas
On December 13, 2003, members of the Houston Police Department and the RIAA executed a plainview seizure at Sunny Flea Market. One suspect was arrested and charged for the sale of 831 counterfeit CD-Rs.
On December 15, 2003, members of the Houston Police Department with the RIAA, executed a plainview seizure at CDs and Tapes. The owner was arrested and charged for the manufacture and sale of counterfeit sound recordings. During this action, officers seized 1,815 counterfeit CD-R, 10 (52X) CD-R burners, 1 computer, 1 scanner and 1 printer.
Virginia
On November 13, 2003, a Norfolk woman plead guilty in Norfolk Circuit Court to a felony charge and received a 12 month suspended sentence and was ordered to pay $5,000.00 in restitution. When the restitution is paid, the charge will be reduced to a misdemeanor and the defendant will serve 30 days in jail with five years probation. This is a result from a March 2003 arrest and seizure of 771 Counterfeit CD-Rs.
On November 18, 2003, after an undercover purchase, Norfolk Police conducted a consent search of Punnie's Records in the 6200 Block of Sewells Point Road. The search recovered 134 Pirate CD-Rs, 17 Pirate DVDs, and 27 Counterfeit VHS tapes. The owner was arrested and charged with a felony. On December 23, 2003, the defendant plead guilty to an amended misdemeanor charge and received 12 months suspended sentence, a $50 fine, 75 hrs community service and 2 years probation. The defendant was also ordered to p
ay $400.00 in restitution.
On December 4, 2003, a Chesapeake man plead guilty to a felony charge in Norfolk Circuit Court and received a 2 year suspended sentence, 2 years probation and was ordered to pay $15,000.00 in restitution. This is the result from an arrest and seizure at Music City located in the 500 Block of East Little Creek Blvd. The November 2002 seizure yielded over 11,000 illicit recordings, the largest seizure in Norfolk to date.
On December 5, 2003, a Newport News man plead guilty to a felony charge in Suffolk Circuit Court as a result from an arrest and seizure of counterfeit CD-Rs and DVDs by the Suffolk Police Department in July 2003. As a condition of the guilty plea, the charge will be reduced to a misdemeanor pending payment of a $500.00 fine.
On December 5, 2003, a New York man plead guilty to an amended misdemeanor charge in Lunenburg County Circuit Court and was sentenced to 12 months in jail with 11 months and 28 days suspended. The defendant was also ordered to pay $3,000.00 in restitution and $500.00 to the Lunenburg County Crime Solvers, which was paid at time of sentencing. This is the result from an arrest and seizure in Victoria by the Virginia State Police. The May 2003 seizure yielded 578 counterfeit CD-Rs.
On December 9, 2003, a Virginia Beach man plead guilty to an amended misdemeanor charge in Virginia Beach Circuit Court and received 12 months suspended sentence, 2 years probation and was ordered to pay $1,750 in restitution, payable over 2 years. This is the result from a May 2003 arrest and seizure at Deja Vu Music Garden located in the 200 Block of 23rd Street which yielded 136 Pirate CD-Rs.
On December 11, 2003, a Petersburg woman plead guilty to an amended misdemeanor charge in Brunswick County General District Court and received 12 months suspended sentence, two years probation, and payment of restitution. This is the result of a July 2003 arrest and seizure by the Lawrenceville Police Department that yielded 855 counterfeit CD-Rs and 146 counterfeit DVDs.
On December 16, 2003, a Norfolk man plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge in Norfolk General District Court as a result of an arrest and seizure by Norfolk Police in October 2003. The defendant received a $75.00 fine and 2 years probation.
Dominican Republic
On November 28, 2003, Adoprofono, with assistance from the RIAA, conducted several raids in the province of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic which resulted in the seizure of 9,700 illicit sound recordings in CD-R and cassette format. Five people were detained in connection with the sale and manufacturing of the illicit products.
On December 19, 2003, the National Police, assisted by the RIAA along with Adoprofono, seized 5,375 counterfeit and pirate CD-R's and 1,900 counterfeit cassettes from eight street vendors in Bavaro and San Pedro.
On December 26, 2003, the National Police and Adoprofono, with assistance from the RIAA, seized 6,000 counterfeit and pirated CD-Rs from a street vendor in Santo Domingo.
Puerto Rico
On Friday, December 19, 2003, the RIAA conducted a voluntary surrender/seizure raid in San Sebastian Puerto Rico. Three (3) vendors were served with Cease and Desist warning letters and a total of 1,573 illicit sound recordings in CD-R format were removed from the outside street vendors. This was part of an ongoing initiative in Puerto Rico to address Flea Market vendors who are involved in the sale of counterfeit sound recordings. Additional raids will follow. 100% of the sound recordings were of the La
tin music genre.