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9 arrested in Galt Market investigation

Suspects linked to counterfeit merchandise

By News-Sentinel Staff
Wednesday, October 29, 2008 6:06 AM PDT

Comments (18 comment(s))

Nine people have been arrested in connection with the sale of counterfeit items at the Galt Market and other locations.

The arrests, announced Tuesday by the U.S. Attorney's Office, were part of an undercover operation that lasted several months and involved a number of law enforcement agencies.

The suspects are accused of selling fake power strips, bags, jewelry, watches and clothing. One of the suspects, Qi Jin Chen, is also accused of funneling almost $133,000 into a bank to bypass bank reporting requirements.

All nine people were arrested and released with instructions to report to federal court today.

In addition to the arrests, officers served 12 search warrants in Sacramento and San Joaquin counties, searching homes, businesses, warehouses, cars and trailers, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Internal Revenue Service agents also seized two bank accounts.

Arrested were Chen, also known as Jimmy Chen, 36; Sunshine Pasquale, 37; Maria "Pala" Brosnan, 68; Kyong Yong Kim, 60; Raymond Mao; Lisa Yeh; and three people whose last names were not available — Jun, Fernando and Gris.

The U.S. Attorney's Office did not specify where the suspects live.

Chen is charged with importing counterfeit items and storing them at a Stockton-area warehouse and home, as well as improper banking.

The others are charged with trafficking in counterfeit goods, which ranged from purses and wallets to clothing to trademarked emblems and labels.

Counterfeiting "presents social and safety problems that adversely effect our global, and local economies," U.S. Attorney McGregor Scott said in a statement.

The arrests aren't the first time fake merchandise was found at the Galt Market.

An August 2007 investigation by Galt police resulted in four arrests and the seizure of a truck and trailer full of fake jewelry, Nike shoes and handbags. Detective Sylvia Coelho was recognized for her work on the case.

The investigation included the Galt Police Department, U.S. Secret Service, IRS, Immigration Customs Enforcement, Sacramento and Placer County sheriff's offices and the Sacramento Police Department.

Reader Feedback

warvet wrote on Oct 30, 2008 10:53 AM:

" If we need more officers in Galt, why did it take 4 cops and a canine to arrest and fully book my 17 1/2 yr. old son for having a pack of cigarettes in is pocket? I have pictures and it looks like a big crime scene. No he didn't resist arrest,he called me and I went immediately. Yes he was wrong to have the tobacco and it's very addicting and so easy to get for teens here in Galt he's hooked.Vote No on Measure R we don't need more cops we need money to support our families. "

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Cogito wrote on Oct 29, 2008 9:14 PM:

" Dogs, it's all about priorities. The city is whining that we need more police. We have a measure to vote on to raise sales tax half a percent. The city also whines that we need more business revenue. Who would open a business here when you have to charge your customers more to make the exact same profit as a neighboring town. Yet, with all the crime of drugs, theft, gangs, etc, they're going undercover in lengthy investigations to bust some moron for selling a fake purse? You're cool with that? A couple of years ago they did the same thing for NFL merchandise. What you're saying is that counterfeiters use slave/child labor in China to make their goods on the cheap to sell in flea market type trading. What you prefer is that fashion houses use slave/child labor in China to make inexpensive products that they sell at garish profits at high end department stores and expensive boutiques to pay for their mansions and corporate jets. As for me, I really don't care about the purses when someones stealing my car to pay for their meth habit. I want THAT criminal busted. "

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dogs4you wrote on Oct 29, 2008 5:43 PM:

" Cogito and all the rest of you that complain about the Galt City police and others doing their job, counterfeiting is against the law. But from the way you make it sound, in Galt is OK. Is counterfiting a way to hire more officers, as far as your concerned, I guess so. While its not a capital crime, it is a crime and should be delt with properly. Galt citizen considers more police will target the working class, if the working class is breaking the law, so be it. Lodi might be screwed up, but can`t hole a candle to your suckers in Galt. "

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Cogito wrote on Oct 29, 2008 5:28 PM:

" My wife has 2 Coach purses and 2 Dooney and Bourkes. They're all real. It's her only jones. "

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Cogito wrote on Oct 29, 2008 5:25 PM:

" Weezer, trust me, there's no where in Galt you can buy the real thing. If I see someone in Galt carrying a thousand dollar purse, i assume either it's a fake, or they're from out of town. "

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Cogito wrote on Oct 29, 2008 5:22 PM:

" Just me, remember a few years ago with in Lodi, the local police were hardly involved in the case of a known terrorist. Galt PD are clueless in investigations regarding national terrorist activities. Get a grip! "

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weezer wrote on Oct 29, 2008 3:41 PM:

" More police will just target the working class...

Working class? Or cheaters??? "

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weezer wrote on Oct 29, 2008 3:37 PM:

" I don't think it's a waste of taxpayers' money. People were violating our laws.

Don't hurt the business climate?
And counterfeit merchandise do not hurt our businesses? Maybe Cogito carries a fake Louis Vitton purse. "

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lodisafeway wrote on Oct 29, 2008 12:40 PM:

" Wow Gail1!! Guilt by "name" now? Is that how it works? Just what name would you suggest to indicate anyone who "should even be in the united states [and] selling at the Galt Sale." My own surname suggests that I may be from Europe - and both sets of my grandparents were. I suppose only the "Joneses" and "Smiths" of the country are free from immediate suspicion.

Do you also suggest that it should be mandatory for naturalized citizens to change their names so that they appear more "American" to you? In spite of our current illegal immigration problems, we are still a nation of immigrants - very few of us have a purely American pedigree. Among other things this is what has made us the great country that we are. "

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lodian4life wrote on Oct 29, 2008 9:55 AM:

" It really bugs me when people complain about paying a few extra bucks for there protection. You know they would scream ten times louder if they called PD and had to wait for a officer. This is far from a crime that is a waste of time for PD. This crime hurts all of us where it counts...the wallet. "

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HappyDays94 wrote on Oct 29, 2008 9:45 AM:

" I would like to know why the Galt PD drives by the community skate park and doesn't clean up the druggies hanging out and doing their drugs out in the open in front of my kids. My kids refuse to go there anymore cause the PD looks the other way when they drive by, they are always looking at the Market. What's up with that? Thank god my kids aren't sucked up into the drug life, there would be no help for them from the people who are supposed to protect them. "

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T & C wrote on Oct 29, 2008 9:42 AM:

" In China I read 6 out of 10 chinese computer users have a FAKE copy of Windows XP, paying as little as $4.00! Counterfeiting is not unusual esp. by the chinese! It's all about duping Americans out of our money! "

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just me wrote on Oct 29, 2008 8:27 AM:

" Cogito, I don't think we can speak to the roll of the Galt PD in the investigation - they likely played a very small role.

In addition, I don't think a local PD gets the option to tell FBI, Secret Service and IRS, "sorry, we're busy." I suppose we'd have to call the police chief to ask about that. I only know that if those agencies were to come knocking on my door, I'm not going to tell them I'm just too busy.

Let's hold judgment until those arrested are tried. Hopefully, the system is working.

This isn't a statement as to whether or not anyone should support Measure R. The Galt PD can explain where their money is going and I believe it is a totally separate inquiry.

I'm just saying that tax evasion and counterfeit goods are not the kind of "business climate" that any city needs or should want. White collar crime should be dealt with as fiercely as gang crime - it hurts just as many, if not more, innocent citizens. "

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Cogito wrote on Oct 29, 2008 8:14 AM:

" Just me, if there are bigger agencies involved in these investigations, I'm sure that the Galt PD are doing nothing more than getting in their way. Like Galt Citizen implied, they need to take care of the crime that affects our town. I don't think they're qualified to go after nests of terrorists. "

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just me wrote on Oct 29, 2008 8:06 AM:

" Here you go:
http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/02/12/business/fake.php

Before blaming the Galt PD, I implore you to ask yourself why it would be that there are so many federal agencies involved in the investigation. My guess: they're looking for something bigger. "

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just me wrote on Oct 29, 2008 7:59 AM:

" I've seen documentaries which show that counterfeiting supports terrorism. Moreover, it costs people's jobs - something we can't afford. Don't believe me, google it.

Besides, who's the Galt PD to tell the FBI, IRS and US Secret Service "no?"

Counterfeiting and tax evasion are real crimes that hurt real people. They shouldn't be tolerated as a normal function in the "business climate." "

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galt citizen wrote on Oct 29, 2008 7:36 AM:

" I totally agree with Cogito. What a waste of taxpayer money. I thought we had 150 known gang members in this town and crime was increasing due to lack of police officers on the street. This is the best you could do with the funding you have!? Vote NO on Measure R. More police will just target the working class, as it appears they already are doing. "

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Cogito wrote on Oct 29, 2008 7:26 AM:

" The Galt Police dept. wants a sales tax increase to hire more officers, yet there's so little to do they waste their time on this stuff? Are they joking? Is this where our priorities lie on crime in our city? This is the best campaign against Measure R yet. Vote NO. Don't hurt the business climate in Galt to support this idiocy. "

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Comments on this story are now closed.

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