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9 arrested in Galt Market investigation
Suspects linked to counterfeit merchandise
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.
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warvet wrote on Oct 30, 2008 10:53 AM:
Cogito wrote on Oct 29, 2008 9:14 PM:
dogs4you wrote on Oct 29, 2008 5:43 PM:
Cogito wrote on Oct 29, 2008 5:28 PM:
Cogito wrote on Oct 29, 2008 5:25 PM:
Cogito wrote on Oct 29, 2008 5:22 PM:
weezer wrote on Oct 29, 2008 3:41 PM:
Working class? Or cheaters??? "
weezer wrote on Oct 29, 2008 3:37 PM:
Don't hurt the business climate?
And counterfeit merchandise do not hurt our businesses? Maybe Cogito carries a fake Louis Vitton purse. "
lodisafeway wrote on Oct 29, 2008 12:40 PM:
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. "
lodian4life wrote on Oct 29, 2008 9:55 AM:
HappyDays94 wrote on Oct 29, 2008 9:45 AM:
T & C wrote on Oct 29, 2008 9:42 AM:
just me wrote on Oct 29, 2008 8:27 AM:
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. "
Cogito wrote on Oct 29, 2008 8:14 AM:
just me wrote on Oct 29, 2008 8:06 AM:
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. "
just me wrote on Oct 29, 2008 7:59 AM:
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." "
galt citizen wrote on Oct 29, 2008 7:36 AM:
Cogito wrote on Oct 29, 2008 7:26 AM:
Comments on this story are now closed.