News and Press Releases

United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner
Eastern District of California

Modesto Man Sentenced For Participating In Counterfeit Media Conspiracy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, May 7, 2012
 

Docket #: 1:11-cr-0299 AWI

 

 

FRESNO, Calif. — United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced that Chief United States District Judge Anthony W. Ishii sentenced Edgar Alonso Bautista Arazate, 31, of Modesto, today to one year in prison for conspiring to commit criminal copyright infringement and traffic in counterfeit labels and counterfeit documentation and packaging.

According to court documents, between April 2011 and July 25, 2011, Arazate sold counterfeit music CDs and movie DVDs from his home and out of his vehicles. The counterfeit media was supplied to him from a warehouse in Modesto. On July 25, 2011, law enforcement officers seized approximately 780 counterfeit motion picture DVDs and 2,380 counterfeit music CDs from Arazate’s residence in Modesto.

This case was the product of an extensive investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Sacramento Valley Hi-Tech Crimes Task Force, with assistance from the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant United States Attorney Henry Z. Carbajal III prosecuted the case.

On April 23, 2012, co-defendant Roman Santana was sentenced to one year in prison. Co-defendant Antonio Hernandez Sanchez, 27, of Stockton, is scheduled to be sentenced on May 21, 2012. Martin Munoz Peralta is scheduled to be sentenced on July 9, 2012. Charges are pending against co-defendants Mariano Vega Hernandez, Vicenta Munoz Peralta, and Leonel Martinez Caballero. The charges against them are only allegations and they are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

####

 

Return to Top