Two Los Angeles-area residents appeared in federal court for the first
time today, charged separately with trafficking in counterfeit designer
goods.
In the first case, Fatemeh Jaghouri, 47, of Glendale, appeared in federal
court in Los Angeles this morning for arraignment on an information charging
her with one count of trafficking in counterfeit goods. Jaghouri has agreed
to plead guilty to trafficking in counterfeit goods that bore fake trademarks
registered by Gucci America, Salvatore Ferragamo Italia, Louis Vuitton
Malletier and Fendi, among others.
According to a plea agreement filed in Jaghouri's case, Jaghouri and her
husband owned Augment Accessories in Los Angeles where they sold purses,
handbags and wallets that appeared to be designer brands but were not
because these goods had counterfeit trademarks affixed to them. Jaghouri
imported 360 cartons of counterfeit items to Los Angeles from China, where
they were kept in a warehouse controlled by Jaghouri.
Jahouri is expected to plead guilty to the charge during the week of August
25 before United States District Judge A. Howard Matz. As a result of
the anticipated guilty plea, Jahouri faces a maximum possible sentence
of 10 years in federal prison and a $2 million fine.
In the second case, Christopher Burke Carter, 26, was arrested this morning
at his home in Monterey Park pursuant to a criminal complaint filed on
July 29. Carter made his initial court appearance this afternoon on the
complaint that charges him with one count of trafficking in counterfeit
goods.
According to the complaint, Carter operated a warehouse in Monterey Park
that was used to store and sell counterfeit goods, including products
that appeared to be manufactured by companies such as Gucci America, Louis
Vuitton Malletier, Burberry Limited and others. Approximately 570 cartons
of counterfeit goods that authorities estimate were worth more than $6
million were seized by Special Agents with the Bureau of Immigration and
Customs Enforcement on April 1, 2003.
Carter made his initial appearance before a magistrate judge in federal
court on Monday afternoon and was ordered held without bond until a hearing
on Wednesday afternoon. He is scheduled to be arraigned on September 8.
If convicted of the charge in the complaint, Carter faces a maximum possible
sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a $2 million fine.
CONTACT: Assistant United States Attorney Elena J. Duarte
(213) 894-8611
Release No. 03-115
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