SUMMERVILLE, S.C. – A federal judge sentenced two Summerville store owners Friday to prison after the pair pleaded guilty to selling counterfeit goods.
Raynard Smith, 42, and Lanard Smith, 42, of Summerville, will spend one year and one day behind bars followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. They will not be eligible for parole.
Lanard Smith was also ordered to pay $130,341.99 in restitution and Raynard Smith was ordered to pay $14,992.17 in restitution.
According to federal prosecutors, both men operated storefronts and sold merchandise, which included sports jerseys, that had been imported from countries like China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Germany, Italy and Taiwan.
Prosecutors said both men knew that the goods they were purchasing and importing from these countries were counterfeit. Both men each had a prior felony conviction from 2008, which also stemmed from the trafficking of counterfeit goods.
“I commend the hard work of the special agents and officers in pursuing this case and bringing these fraudsters to justice,” said Ronnie Martinez, Special Agent in Charge for HSI Charlotte, which covers North and South Carolina. “HSI Charlotte is committed to working with our law enforcement and private industry partners to aggressively investigate trademark counterfeiting to protect consumers and ensure a level playing field for legitimate businesses.”
“Counterfeit goods pose a serious threat not only to businesses but also to consumer safety,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina Adair F. Boroughs. “Our office along with our federal partners take these crimes seriously and will go after those who commit illicit activities that impact our marketplace. “
This case was investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Bower is prosecuting the case.
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