July 1, 2002 - Overland Park, KS
Bulfrano Hernandez-Ramirez and Maria Congote pled guilty to Kansas
True Name and Address violations and were sentenced to six months in county
jail and ordered to pay a fine. 2,000 pirate CD-Rs were seized from the two in
May of last year. They were selling the discs during an event at Overland
Park convention center.
July 2, 2002 - New York, NY
Members of the RIAA Anti-Piracy Unit assisted the NYPD in the
execution of a search warrant on the 5th floor of a West 29th Street building.
The search warrant resulted in the seizure of 20,600 alleged unauthorized
sound recordings from the distribution location. Among the recordings
confiscated were those from Alan Jackson, Frankie Negron, Jerry Rivera, Marc
Anthony, Shania Twain and Frank Sinatra.
July 3, 2002 - St Louis, MO
ú Members of the St. Louis Police Department's South Investigative
Bureau conducted a consent search at a residence in North St. Louis. The
suspect was being sought after he assaulted a security guard at Wal-Mart in
the act of robbing the store of computer materials. When police located the
individual, he was in his basement burning CD-Rs on his computer equipment.
525 alleged counterfeit and pirate CD-Rs and four CD-R burners were seized. It
is expected that a felony counterfeiting charge will be filed.
July 3, 2002 - Inglewood, CA
Officers from the Inglewood Police Department, Detective Bureau,
assisted by members of the RIAA, arrested two people at the Inglewood Car Wash
in Inglewood, CA. The parties were taken into custody and charged with
Failure to Disclose the Origin of a Recording. Investigators seized over
4,200 alleged unauthorized sound recordings as evidence.
July 3, 2002 - Lancaster, SC
The Lancaster, South Carolina Sheriff's Office and investigators from
the RIAA executed a search warrant at a retail store on Memorial Park Road.
Authorities had identified the location as possible source of unauthorized
sound recordings. Approximately, 911 alleged pirate CD-Rs, one CD-R burner,
one paper cutter and miscellaneous manufacturing and packaging materials were
seized from the storefront. A search of an employee's car revealed and
additional 511 alleged unauthorized CD-Rs. One suspect was arrested and
charged with True Name and Address violations.
July 3, 2002 - Memphis, TN
Uniformed officers of the Memphis Police Department arrested two
vendors soliciting at a shopping center on Lamar Street. 728 alleged illicit
CD-Rs were confiscated from the two men, who were both arrested and charged
with music piracy violations. The seized product included works from Yolanda
Adams, Rick James, Eminem, Jay-Z, Ja Rule, Marvin Gaye, Alicia Keys, Jaheim,
Ashanti and Avant.
July 5, 2002 - San Mateo, CA
In California, investigators from the San Mateo County Sheriff's
Department, assisted by members of the RIAA, conducted an investigation, which
resulted in the arrest of thirteen street vendors. Seized during the arrests
were over 4,300 alleged unauthorized CDs and CD-R's. All suspects are being
held without bond at this time pending trial, on Charges of Failure to
Disclose the Origin of a Recording and Criminal Conspiracy. Additional
charges are pending with the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office.
July 6, 2002 - New York, NY
The NYPD and the RIAA Anti-Piracy Unit executed a search warrant at a
distribution location on West 36th Street. 16,000 alleged counterfeit CD-Rs
were seized from a seventh floor room. Four suspects were arrested and
charged with Trademark Counterfeiting and Failure to Disclose the Origin of a
Recording.
July 9, 2002 - Elizabeth, NJ
The Elizabeth, New Jersey Police Department and investigators from the
RIAA Anti-Piracy Unit entered a music retail store and observed in plain view
possibly illicit compact discs. As a result of their observations, a search
warrant was secured and the following product and equipment was seized: 6,000
alleged counterfeit and pirate CD-Rs, three CD towers (containing a total of
fifteen 12-speed burners), two shrink wrap machines, one imprinter, and one
computer. The police arrested two suspects, who were in the process of
packaging CD-Rs when authorities entered the location.
July 10, 2002 - Alameda County, CA
Deputies from the Alameda County, California Sheriff's Department,
assisted by members of the RIAA, acting on information from local retailers
arrested a lone, male street vendor. In his possession at the time of the
offense were over 600 alleged unauthorized sound recordings. The subject has
been charged with Fail to Disclose the Origin of a Recording.
July 10, 2002 - Beach Haven, New Jersey
Based on a client lead, the Beach Haven, New Jersey Police Department
assisted by the RIAA Anti-Piracy Unit, executed a search and seizure warrant
at a music store suspected of selling bootleg product. The store was selling
concert recordings of groups such as Phish and Limp Bizkit for as much as $65.
A total of 366 alleged bootleg CD-Rs and 25 alleged bootleg videos were
seized. Charges are pending against the storeowner.
July 11, 2002 - Chicago, IL
In a Chicago courtroom, Samuel Burts was sentenced to one year felony
probation and credit for seven months served in jail pending hearing.
Authorities arrested Mr. Burts in May for selling counterfeit CD-Rs on the 200
block of East Garfield.
July 12, 2002 - Dallas, TX
Acting on a tip from a local retailer, members of the Dallas Police
Department, with assistance of the RIAA Anti-Piracy Unit, arrested a vendor
selling suspect CD-Rs and cassettes. 1,061 alleged pirate cassettes and 274
alleged pirate CD-Rs were seized from the individual who was on the corner of
Capitol and Fitzhugh Street. Product seized was 100% Latin music repertoire,
including works from Vicente Fernandez, Los Tigres del Norte, Kumbia Kings and
Tigrillos. Charges will be filed against the suspect for violation of Texas'
True Name and Address statute.
July 12, 2002 - Baltimore, MD
A gas station in the Alameda area of Baltimore, MD was raided by the
Baltimore City Police Department in response to complaints that the location
was selling unauthorized compact discs for $5. Police seized 595 alleged
illicit CD-Rs, which included recordings from the Temptations, Notorious
B.I.G., Aaliyah and DMX. One suspect was arrested and charged with True Name
and Address violations.
July 13, 2002 - New Haven, CT
The New Haven, Connecticut Police Department and the RIAA Anti-Piracy
Unit combined their resources to conduct enforcement action along the 500
block of Ella T. Grasso Boulevard. The action resulted in the arrest of
eleven individuals and the seizure of approximately 5,000 alleged counterfeit
CD-Rs.
July 14, 2002 - North Versailles County, PA
A vendor at the Super Flea Market in North Versailles, Pennsylvania
was arrested and charged with True Name and Address violations for engaging in
the sale of possibly infringing sound recordings. Acting on a client lead,
the RIAA Anti-Piracy Unit enlisted assistance from the North Versailles Police
Department to seize 380 alleged counterfeit CD-Rs, including 10 copies of
Trick Daddy's Thug Holiday, which was not slated for release until August 6th.
July 17, 2002 - Columbia, SC
A retail chain with two locations in Columbia, South Carolina was the
target of an investigation involving the sale of illicit sound recordings.
7,952 alleged counterfeit cassettes and 3,488 alleged counterfeit and pirate
CD-Rs were seized from the two stores, including the likes of Nelly, Eminem
and Ashanti. The next day, the owner of both locations was arrested by the
Columbia Police Department.
July 17, 2002 - Baltimore, MD
Devin Murphy of Baltimore, MD pled guilty to one count of TNA (True
Name and Address) and was given a one year suspended sentence with 50 hours
community service and a $250 fine. He is also required to pay the RIAA $6200
in restitution. Mr. Murphy was pulled over by the Maryland State Police in
April for a traffic violation and a vehicle search revealed 1,374 counterfeit
CD-Rs.
July 19, 2002 - Baltimore, MD
Michael Collins of Baltimore, MD was found guilty on four counts of
Unauthorized Sale of a Sound Recording. He received a one year suspended
sentence, one year suspended probation and must pay $100 in restitution to the
RIAA. The Baltimore City Police Department seized 27 counterfeit CD-Rs from
Collins in late March.
July 20, 2002 - San Antonio, TX
The Bexar County Sheriff's Investigators, assisted by members of the
RIAA, conducted plain view seizures of two booths inside the Fiesta Market in
San Antonio, Texas. A total of 482 alleged counterfeit and 270 alleged pirate
CD-Rs were seized from both vendors. In addition, one of the vendors had
on-site a 16X CD-R burner and a search of his residence revealed a computer,
color CD printer, color printer, and scanner which were also seized. If
operated at a rate of 5 hours a day, 5 days per week, 15,600 illicit CD-Rs
could have been manufactured in one year, resulting in a potential annual loss
to the industry of $234,000. Both subjects will be charged with violating
Texas' Unlawful Labeling statute. The majority of seized product was Latin
music, including works from Jennifer Pena, Alejandro Fernandez, Mana, and
Thalia.
July 20, 2002 - Stafford Township, NJ
The Stafford Township Police Department arrested six individuals at
the Manahawkin Market in New Jersey. The vendors were selling suspect titles
of artists such as Marc Anthony, Motley Crue and the Bee Gees for as low as
$5. A total of 1,338 alleged counterfeit CD-Rs were netted during the raid,
and all six suspects were charged with violation of New Jersey's Anti-Piracy
Act.
July 22, 2002 - Los Angeles, CA
In two separate seizure actions, investigators of the RIAA Anti-Piracy
Unit were instrumental in the seizure of over 1,600 alleged unauthorized sound
recordings. Three vendors were issued cease and desist notices and
voluntarily turned over their suspect product to investigators for
destruction. The enforcement actions were part of ongoing efforts in Santee
Alley, the garment district of Los Angeles, which is aimed at curbing the sale
of illegal CDs and CD-Rs in the area.
July 23, 2002 - Little Rock, AR
A year long investigation by the Arkansas State Police in Little Rock,
Arkansas, led to the conviction of Dwight H. Holmes, d/b/a Maxwell Smart's
Enterprises and Reginald Herron, a store employee. Holmes and Herron both
pleaded guilty to a class D felony. Holmes was sentenced to 4 years
probation, 40 hours community service, a $400 fine, and ordered to pay $12,000
in restitution to the RIAA. Herron was sentenced to 2 years probation and 20
hours community service. Holmes was burning illicit CD-Rs and offering them
for sale in his retail store, Maxwell Smart's.
July 25, 2002 - New York, NY
The Staten Island Criminal Intelligence Section of the NYPD executed a
search warrant with assistance from the RIAA Anti-Piracy Unit. The
enforcement action resulted in the arrest of three individuals and the seizure
of 21,200 alleged unauthorized CD-Rs. The Mott Street location was supplying
vendors in the Canal Street area with recordings from artists such as Jewel,
Billy Joel, Marc Anthony, Sheryl Crow, Barry Manilow and the Red Hot Chili
Peppers.
July 26, 2002 - Memphis, TN
Two sidewalk vendors located on Bellevue Boulevard in Memphis,
Tennessee were the target of an investigation by the Memphis Police Department
and the RIAA. Despite efforts to conceal the illicit product with a blanket,
authorities discovered recordings from Whitney Houston, Warren G., AZ, Nappy
Roots, R. Kelly, 2 Pac, Johnny Taylor, David Ruffin, Bobby Bland, Ja Rule,
NAS, Luther Vandross and Alicia Keys. Two individuals were arrested and 224
alleged counterfeit cassettes and 179 alleged counterfeit CD-Rs were seized.
July 27, 2002 - Houston, TX
Members of the Houston Police Department and the RIAA conducted a
plain view seizure at the Country Weekend Flea Market in Houston, TX. Two
individuals were arrested for selling suspect CD-Rs and charged with violation
of Texas' True Name and Address statute. 93 alleged pirate CD-Rs were seized
from the pair. Their inventory consisted solely of Latin music, including
artists such as Los Tigrillos, Los Tigres del Norte, Vicente Fernandez and
Mana.
July 28, 2002 - El Monte, CA
Deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, assisted by
members of the RIAA Anti-Piracy Unit, seized over 2,300 alleged unauthorized
sound recordings in actions at the Star Lite Drive-In Swap Meet in South El
Monte, CA. One person was taken into custody on felony charges of Failure to
Disclose the Origin of a Recording. Two other vendors had their illegal
product confiscated by authorities for destruction and were served with cease
and desist notifications.
July 29, 2002 - San Mateo, CA
In a San Mateo, California courtroom, 13 vendors were convicted of
felony charges, Failure to Disclose the Origin of a Recording, for selling
counterfeit recordings of artists such as Vicente Fernandez, Los Tigres Del
Norte, Paulina Rubio, Selena, Olga Tanon and Jaguares. Over 4,300 illicit CDs
and CD-Rs were seized from the vendors. Following the service of the imposed
jail sentences, all 13 subjects were turned over to Immigration for
deportation proceedings.
July 30, 2002 - Fort Worth, TX
Members of the Fort Worth Police Department and the RIAA Anti-Piracy
Unit executed a search warrant at a Fort Worth music store. One suspect was
arrested for manufacturing suspect CD-Rs and charged with a violation of
Texas' True Name and Address statute. 2,082 alleged pirate CD-Rs, 326 master
CDs, 110 blank CD-Rs, two VCRs, one DVD player, one TV and one 16-speed CD-R
burner. If the operation manufactured CD-Rs during store hours (eight hours a
day, six days a week), it was capable of producing approximately 32,550 CD-Rs
a year. This equates to a potential annual loss of approximately $486,000 to
the music industry.