Metairie Man Pleads Guilty to Trafficking in Over $150,000 in Counterfeit Goods

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that BOUBACAR DIALLO, age 35, of Metairie, pled guilty today to a one-count Bill of Information charging him with  trafficking in counterfeit goods.

According to court documents, on March 12, 2015, investigators with the Office of the Attorney General Investigation Division and agents with the United States Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations, acting on information that DIALLO was involved in the purchase and subsequent sale of large quantities of counterfeit merchandise, met DIALLO at his residence in Metairie.  Law enforcement officials observed numerous cardboard boxes full of counterfeit merchandise.  They subsequently verified as counterfeit 111 pairs of “True Religion” blue jeans; 166 “Michael Kors” purses; 67 “Michael Kors” pocketbooks; 87 “Michael Kors” watches; 6 pair of “Nike” tennis shoes; 9 pair of “Polo” pants; 8 pair of “Polo” shirts; and 693 counterfeit Michael Kors labels.  The collective fair market value of all the counterfeit items and was approximately $158,049.  DIALLO admitted that he knew the items he was selling were counterfeit and that he had purchased them from individuals in Atlanta and New York City.  DIALLO also admitted to renting storage units to hide and store the counterfeit merchandise.

DIALLO faces a maximum term of imprisonment of not more than ten years, followed by up to three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.  U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk set sentencing for February 4, 2016.

U.S. Attorney praised the work of the Louisiana Department of Justice / Office of the Attorney General Investigation Division and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations for investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Ginsberg is in charge of the prosecution.