The owner of two stores in Petersburg, Va., was arrested today following his indictment on charges in connection with the sale of alleged counterfeit goods.
Belal Amin Alsaidi, 30, was charged in an indictment by a federal grand jury in Richmond, with one count of conspiracy and three counts of trafficking in counterfeit goods.
The indictment alleged that Alsaidi purchased apparel and shoes between May 2007 and April 2009 that he knew were counterfeit from an individual in New York for sale in his retail stores. According to the indictment, the goods bore fake trademarks for brands such as Christian Audigier, Coach, Ed Hardy, Nike, Lacoste, Timberland, True Religion and Coogi.
The conspiracy charge has a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. Each trafficking count carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and a $2 million fine. The indictment is also seeking the seizure of the alleged counterfeit goods as well as profits from the sales of those items.
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A criminal indictment is merely an accusation, and the charges still need to be proven at trial.
Alsaidi, who was arrested in Buffalo, is scheduled to make an appearance before a New York federal court on Thursday afternoon. His arraignment in a Virginia federal court will be scheduled for a later date.