October 2, 2002 - Fontana, CA
A defendant pled guilty to felony True Name and Address violations in
a Fontana, California superior court. He will serve one year in county jail,
which will be followed by three years felony probation. If probation is
violated, he will be required to serve an additional three years in state
prison. He was arrested for True Name and Address violations in November 2001
based on the manufacture and sale of counterfeit CD-Rs at DJ Records & Tapes,
a retail store he owned and operated. 1,452 suspected counterfeit and pirate
CD-Rs were seized, along with three CD-R burners, one printer, and one
scanner. Subsequent to this arrest, but prior to conviction, he was again
arrested for the same conduct in April 2002. The two cases were combined and
the terms of the plea agreement reflect these two arrests.
October 2, 2002 - Lawrence, MA
RIAA investigators traveled to Massachusetts to assist the Lawrence
Police Department in their campaign to deter music piracy. Police
headquarters had been receiving numerous complaints from legitimate merchants
that various stores in the area were selling unauthorized recordings and
hurting their business. During the course of the sweep, warning letters were
issued to seven area stores, with the storeowners summoned to appear in court
for True Name and Address violations. Total product seized included
approximately 3,500 alleged counterfeit and pirate CD-Rs and cassettes, 500
master CDs, five CD-R burners, one color copier, one computer, and numerous
boxes of raw material.
October 2, 2002 - Baltimore, MD
A defendant from Baltimore, Maryland was found guilty on two counts of
True Name and Address violations. He received an 18 month suspended sentence
with 18 months supervised probation. In addition, he was ordered to pay the
RIAA $1,000 to offset investigative expenses and also forfeit to the RIAA as
restitution $2,797 that was seized. The Baltimore City Police Department
confiscated over 4,000 illicit sound recordings and from Mr. Irvin in late
May.
October 2-11, 2002 - Los Angeles, CA
In a span of ten days (October 2 - 11), investigators with the RIAA
Anti-Piracy Unit conducted voluntary surrenders throughout the Santee Alley
section of Los Angeles. After making contact with street vendors, nine
individuals surrendered a total of 1,514 suspected illicit CD-Rs for
destruction.
October 3, 2002 - New York, NY
The NYPD executed a search warrant at a location suspected of
operating as a distributor of counterfeit sound recordings. The enforcement
action resulted in the seizure of 17,600 alleged counterfeit CD-Rs. Artist
recordings confiscated included titles from Kelly Price, Enrique Iglesias,
Donell Jones, Shakira, Tito Nieves, Nelly, Brandy, and Mario. One suspect was
arrested at the West 30th Street address and charged with Failure to Disclose
the Origin of a Recording and Trademark Counterfeiting. In connection with
the investigation, an additional warrant was carried out in the Bronx. 825
alleged unauthorized sound recordings, 16 CD-R burners, and two computers were
seized from a manufacturing location on Anderson Avenue. One additional
suspect was arrested and also charged with music piracy violations.
October 3, 2002 - Baltimore, MD
A defendant from Baltimore, Maryland was found guilty on one count of
Counterfeit Trademarking and sentenced to thirty days in jail. The conviction
is the result of a September arrest made by the Baltimore Police Department,
which netted 210 counterfeit CD-Rs. He was observed selling the unauthorized
compact discs in the Waverly Shopping Center parking lot.
October 4, 2002 - San Antonio, TX
Investigators for the Bexar County Sheriff's Department, assisted by
members of the RIAA, seized 2,425 alleged pirate CD-Rs from an individual in
San Antonio, Texas. Ninety percent of the product seized was Latin music and
contained work from artists such as Mana, Banda El Recodo, Paulina Rubio, and
other popular artists. The suspect will be charged with violating Texas' True
Name and Address statute.
October 4, 2002 - New York, NY
An ongoing investigation led the NYPD to an illicit distribution
location on West 179th Street. Seized at the location were 13,200 alleged
counterfeit CD-Rs, all of Latin repertoire. Seized recordings included works
from Paulina Rubio, Jennifer Pena, Marc Anthony, Chayanne, and Carlos Vives.
October 4, 2002 - Tampa, FL
Detectives with the Tampa Police Department, assisted by RIAA
Anti-Piracy investigators, shut down two tent set-ups from which unauthorized
sound recordings were being sold. Vendors from the two tents, one on the 2600
block of Hillsborough Avenue and the other on the corner of East Busch
Boulevard and N. 22nd Street, were both selling CD-Rs for $5. Two suspects
were apprehended and a total of 1,159 alleged pirate CD-Rs were seized from
the two locations.
October 4, 2002 - New York, NY
9,000 alleged unauthorized CD-Rs were seized by the NYPD and RIAA
Anti-Piracy Unit during the course of a search warrant in New York City. The
distribution location was housing recordings of Latin artists such as Gilberto
Santa Rosa, Thalia, Jennifer Pena, Alexander Pires, and Marc Anthony. One
suspect was arrested and charged with Trademark Counterfeiting and Failure to
Disclose the Origin of a Recording.
October 5, 2002 - Fairfax County, VA
While on patrol at a flea market held in the parking lot of Springfield Plaza, an
officer with the Fairfax County, Virginia Police Department observed several
stands selling what appeared to be illegal CD-Rs. RIAA investigators were called
to the scene and 3,500 alleged counterfeit CD-Rs and over $4,00 in cash were
subsequently confiscated from five booths. Three suspects were arrested while
three others were released on summons.
October 8, 2002 - New York, NY
While responding to radio run at a West 32nd Street apartment complex
in New York City, an officer with the NYPD observed numerous compact discs.
After further investigation, 10,000 alleged counterfeit and pirate CD-Rs were
seized from the fourth floor apartment. One person was arrested and charged
with trademark penal law charges. The following is a sampling of artist
recordings recovered from the distribution location: Nelly, Eminen, Clipse,
Trina, Thalia, and Enrique Iglesias.
October, 9, 2002 - Florida
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) arrested a man
suspected of manufacturing piratical sound recordings and distributing them to
area convenience store owners. Authorities started an investigation after
receiving complaints from customers and storeowners that the discs did not
play. Enforcement action taken against the manufacturer/distributor resulted
in the seizure of 4,022 alleged pirate and counterfeit CD-Rs, 14 CD-R burners,
495 masters, and 10,376 blank CD-Rs. Titles from Kirk Franklin, LL Cool J,
Keith Sweat, Ice Cube, Ja Rule, DMX, and JT Money were just a few of the
artist recordings confiscated. Charges are currently pending against the
defendant.
October, 10, 2002 - Philadelphia, PA
In a Philadelphia courtroom, two defendants from Red House, Virginia
each pled guilty to one count of the illegal copying of recorded devices and
criminal conspiracy. The two defendants were ordered to pay $375 each in
restitution, to be divided between the RIAA and the MPAA. One was sentenced
to three years reporting probation and one was given three years non-reporting
probation. The two men were initially arrested in late December 2001 during
the investigation of a theft on the 900 block of Filbert Street. 535 illicit
sound recordings were seized from the defendants' vehicle.
October 10, 2002 - Richmond, VA
A defendant from Richmond, Virginia received a 90 day sentence with 60
days suspended, one year unsupervised probation, and a $250 for Trademark
Counterfeiting. He was arrested on the 600 block of Westover Hills Boulevard
during a routine traffic stop in which the Richmond Police Department seized
187 counterfeit CD-Rs from his vehicle.
The August 24th arrest of two men at the Super Flea Market in
Richmond, Virginia culminated in both individuals being found guilty on one
count of True Name and Address violations. Members of the Richmond Police
Department seized a total of 413 counterfeit CD-Rs from both suspects. One
was sentenced to 10 days incarceration (suspended), while the other was
sentenced to 20 days suspended incarceration. Both men were also ordered to
pay a $250 fine. (WMR-020123)
October 11, 2002 -
A defendant in Brooklyn, New York was sentenced to six months home
detention, 36 months probation, and a $100.00 fine for his role in the
manufacture and distribution of infringing sound recordings. The conviction
was the end result of an investigation by the U.S. Secret Service and RIAA
investigators. Authorities seized 50 CD-R burners, 32,000 counterfeit and
pirate CD-Rs, and 35,000 counterfeit DVDs from the illicit CD-R factory. His
partner-in-crime, was sentenced to 41 months in jail back on September 5th.
October 12, 2002 - Baltimore, MD
While manning an observation post at the Patapsco Flea Market, the
Baltimore City Police Department witnessed an individual making several trips
to and from his vehicle, carrying compact discs. Further investigation
revealed that the suspect was storing infringing compact discs in his vehicle.
Seized from the suspect's vehicle were 1,767 alleged counterfeit CD-Rs. A
subsequent search and seizure warrant at his residence uncovered four
computers, eight 56-speed CD-R burners, one scanner/printer, various raw
materials, and an additional 556 alleged counterfeit CD-Rs and 1,074 suspected
masters. Charges are currently pending.
October 12, 2002 - Virginia Beach, VA
The Virginia Beach Police Department conducted a raid on Bill's Flea
Market in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Three vendors were observed selling
suspicious looking compact discs. All three individuals were arrested and
charged with True Name and Address violations. The enforcement action
resulted in the seizure of 5,318 alleged pirate CD-Rs and 5 CD-R burners.
October 14, 2002 - El Paso, TX
Members of the El Paso, Texas Police Department seized 468 alleged
pirate CD-Rs and 84 alleged pirate cassettes from a married couple that were
selling the product at the Downtown Flea Market in El Paso. The product
seized consisted of approximately 95% Latin music including artists such as
Los Tigres del Norte, Juan Gabriel, Vicente Fernandez, Thalia, Ricky Martin,
and others. Charges of violating Texas' True Name and Address statute will be
filed on both subjects.
October 15, 2002 - New York, NY
The NYPD executed a search warrant at a West 26th Street building in
New York City resulting in one arrest and the seizure of 27,200 alleged
counterfeit sound recordings. A sampling of recordings seized included works
from India, Eminem, Trick Daddy, Scarface, Enrique Iglesias, Marc Anthony,
Christian, and Marco Antonio Solas.
October 16, 2002 - New York, NY
The NYPD paid a visit to the Canal Street area to execute a search
warrant after receiving word that a location was operating as a distributor of
possibly infringing sound recordings. The action resulted in one arrest and
the seizure of 84,000 alleged counterfeit sound recordings. The illicit
operation was copying artists such as Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Tony
Bennett, Ray Charles, Dixie Chicks, Jerry Rivera, and Eminem. One suspect was
detained and charged with state music piracy violations.
October 17, 2002 - Philadelphia, PA
Members of the Philadelphia Police Department, along with
representatives of the RIAA Anti-Piracy Unit, conducted raids of street
vendors selling suspect sound recordings in the 4000 block of Lancaster
Avenue. One suspect was arrested after being observed selling illicit sound
recordings. Confiscated from the defendant were 205 alleged counterfeit and
pirate CD-Rs.
October 17, 2002 - Tucson, AZ
After receiving information that an individual was burning and selling
compact discs at a retail location, the Tucson Police Department and RIAA
investigators executed a search warrant that resulted in the seizure of
equipment and illicit product. Authorities seized over 4,000 alleged
counterfeit and pirate sound recordings, 986 masters, 14 24-speed CD-R
burners, six computers, four color copiers, two printers, and two scanners.
If all 14 burners were in operation five days a week and 16 hours a day, as
indicated by the suspect, it was capable of producing approximately 1,117,480
illicit sound recordings a year. Charges are currently pending against the
suspect.
October 20, 2002 - Grand Prairie, TX
Members of the Grand Prairie Police Department, assisted by members of
the RIAA Anti-Piracy Unit and flea market management and security, arrested
eight vendors and seized 4,396 alleged pirated CD-Rs at the Traders Village
Flea Market in Grand Prairie, Texas. All vendors were charged with violation
of Texas' True Name and Address statute. The product seized consisted of a
mix of approximately 90% Latin and 10% Urban Contemporary, including Shakira,
Enrique Iglesias, Paulina Rubio, Alejandro Fernandez, Tupac, Mystikal, Eminem,
and others.
October 23, 2002 - West Des Moines, IA
It was a team effort as members of the Iowa Division of Criminal
Investigation, West Des Moines Police Department, Mason City Police
Department, Polk County Attorney's Office, U.S. Postal Service, U.S. Secret
Service, and RIAA Anti-Piracy investigators combined their resources to
execute a search warrant at a residence in West Des Moines, IA after a lengthy
undercover investigation led by the West Des Moines and Mason City Police
Departments. 2,245 alleged bootleg CD-Rs, cassettes, and videos, one CD-R
burner, one printer, one scanner, and one computer were seized. The suspect
is thought to have been distributing bootlegged product of artists like the
Beatles, Allman Brothers, Metallica, and Bob Dylan around the world and sold
primarily through record shows and ads in record collector magazines since
approximately 1980. It is expected that the individual will be charged with a
Class B Felony in Iowa (punishable up to 25 years in prison) for possessing
more than $10,000 worth of illicit product and engaging in an ongoing criminal
conduct.
October 24, 2002 - Houston, TX
A joint investigation between the Houston Police Department and the
RIAA Anti-Piracy Unit resulted in the execution of a search warrant at a
Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard location, where one suspect was arrested for
the manufacture and sale of possibly infringing sound recordings. 493 alleged
pirate CD-Rs, 89 alleged pirate cassettes and 50 blank CD-Rs were seized. Also
seized were two 4-speed CD-R burners and two cassette duplicators. If the
machinery was operated 8 hours per day, 6 days per week, as indicated by the
suspect, it was capable of producing approximately 15,000 pirate CD-Rs and
60,000 pirate cassettes per year at a potential loss to our industry of
approximately $825,000.
October 24, 2002 - Houston, TX
Members of the Houston Police Department, assisted by the RIAA,
arrested a street vendor on Lockwood Drive for the sale of suspect counterfeit
CD-Rs and cassettes. 347 alleged unauthorized sound recordings were seized
from the suspect, who was charged with violation of Texas' True Name and
Address (TNA) statute. Titles from LL Cool J, Gerald Levert, Dave Hollister,
and Boyz II Men were just a few of the recordings found at the scene.
October 24, 2002 - New York, NY
Acting on a complaint of a retail store on Broadway selling illicit
product, the NYPD and RIAA Anti-Piracy Unit executed a search warrant at the
location, seizing 6,400 alleged counterfeit and pirate CD-Rs. Product seized
included works from Nelly, Sheryl Crow, Elvis, and Nappy Roots. One suspect
was arrested and charged with Trademark Counterfeiting and Failure to Disclose
the Origin of a Recording.
October 24, 2002 - Mason City, IA
After a lengthy operation, Iowa law enforcement officials consisting
of the Mason City Police Department, Cerro Gordo Sheriff's Department, Wright
County Sheriff's Office, and Franklin County Sheriff's Office, assisted by the
RIAA Anti-Piracy Unit, executed a search warrant at a Mason City record store.
663 alleged bootleg recordings, consisting of artists such as the Beatles, Bob
Dylan and Pearl Jam, were seized. The store's owner will be charged with a
Class B Felony for possessing more than $10,000 worth of CDs and engaging in
an ongoing criminal conduct.
October 25, 2002 - Detroit, MI
In a Detroit, Michigan courtroom, a defendant received one year felony
probation after pleading guilty to state music piracy violations. He was
arrested back in April after the Detroit Police Department observed him
selling counterfeit CD-Rs on the corner of Greenfield Road and Tyler Street.
651 counterfeit CD-Rs were seized during the enforcement action.
October 25, 2002 - Philadelphia, PA
In Philadelphia's Criminal Justice Center, a defendant pled guilty to
music piracy crimes and was sentenced to one year reporting probation. Hudson
was arrested in May for selling counterfeit CD-Rs on the corner of Stenton
Avenue and Gratz Street. 2,080 counterfeit CD-Rs of artists such as Glenn
Lewis, the Isley Brothers, Snoop Dogg, Case, 2Pac, Teddy Pendergrass, and
Notorious B.I.G. were confiscated from the defendant.
October 27, 2002 - Houston, TX
Members of Houston Police Department's Major Offender's Unit, assisted
by members of the RIAA, conducted plain view seizures of CD-Rs from three
vendors located at Cheng's Flea Market in Houston, TX. A total of 3,526
alleged illicit recordings and one 16-speed CD-R burner were seized from the
vendors. If the burner was operated 10 hours/day, 5 days/week it could have
produced up to 11,700 illicit CD-Rs in one year, costing the industry
approximately $175,000 in displaced sales. All three vendors were arrested on
the scene and charged with violating Texas' True Name and Address Statute.
The product seized contained work from artists such as Los Tigres del Norte,
Juan Gabriel, Mana, Juanes, Big Tymers, Ashanti and other popular artists.
October 27, 2002 - St. Louis, MO
Officers with the St. Louis Metro Police Department arrested a vendor
who was selling CD-Rs out of his vehicle on the 5000 block of Natural Bridge
Avenue. Authorities seized 215 suspected pirate CD-Rs and charged the
individual with a vending violation.
October 27, 2002 - Huntington Beach, CA
Following a survey of the Golden West College Swap Meet in Huntington
Beach, California, RIAA Anti-Piracy investigators conducted voluntary
surrenders at a vending booth and recovered 786 suspected infringing sound
recordings. The illicit product was subsequently destroyed.
October 28, 2002 - Philadelphia, PA
A defendant and owner of the Philadelphia based retail chain Sound and
Vision Odyssey, pled guilty to two counts of the Unauthorized Transfer of
Sounds on Recording Devices. He was immediately sentenced to three years
reporting probation and ordered to pay the RIAA $10,000 in restitution. The
sentencing is the end result of January search warrants carried out at two
store locations, which brought about five arrests and the seizure of 1,506
bootlegs. The store was found to be selling bootleg CD-Rs, some for as much
as $75. The Philadelphia License and Inspection Division eventually shut down
the 325 South Street location because of the illegal sales.
October 29, 2002 - Houston, TX
Adding to the mystique of the Texas judicial system, a vendor who was
arrested on October 27th for selling pirate CD-Rs at Cheng's Flea Market in
Houston, was sentenced only two days later. The suspect entered a guilty plea
and was immediately sentenced to 10 months in jail. After serving his
sentence, he will be detained and deported by the INS because of his
immigration status. He was found in possession of 801 pirate CD-Rs at the
market.
October 30, 2002 - Westminster, CA
RIAA Anti-Piracy Unit investigators assisted officers from the
Westminster, California Police Department with the seizure of 4,419 alleged
piratical CDs and CD-Rs and 270 pirate DVDs from four different store
locations inside the Asian Garden Mall. Investigators contend that major
English and Spanish language artists such as Marc Anthony, Britney Spears,
Eminem, Ricky Martin, Christina Aguilera, and Thalia were counterfeited and
copied onto pirate compilations. It is expected that felony indictments will
be sought against all four of the store owner/operators.
October 30, 2002 - New York, NY
The NYPD executed fourteen search warrants at a New York City storage
facility on 141st Street. The enforcement resulted in seven arrests and the
seizure of approximately 43,200 alleged counterfeit CD-Rs. Artist recordings
copied included Celine Dion, P.Diddy, Janet Jackson, Eminem, Kelly Price,
Alejandro Fernandez, Enrique Iglesias, Al Green, Kenny G., and Eminem's 8 Mile
Soundtrack.
October 30, 2002 - Gurnee, IL
An Illinois judge sentenced a 33-year-old defendant to 18 months
probation and 75 hours of community service in addition to paying a $100 fine
to crime stoppers and a $500 fine to the Gurnee Police Department. His guilty
plea to the Unlawful Use of Unidentified Sound Recordings marks the end result
of a March 2002 arrest in which 50 pirate CD-Rs were confiscated by police.
The pirate compilations included works from Jay Z, Lox, Ja Rule, NAS, Jennifer
Lopez, Master P, R. Kelly, and Brandy.