Florida Man Pleads Guilty To Trafficking Counterfeit Goods

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that an Ormond Beach, Florida man appeared before Chief U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken on February 8, 2013 and pled guilty to Trafficking in Counterfeit Goods or Services. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years' imprisonment and/or a $2,000,000 fine.

Between February 2010 and August 2011, Nir Giist, age 55, intentionally sold counterfeit goods near Rapid City, Keystone, Deadwood, Hill City, and Sturgis, South Dakota. The sale of counterfeit goods violated the trademarks held by Monster Energy, Angry Birds, Hollister, The North Face, and Ed Hardy.

The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Collins.

A presentence investigation was ordered and a sentencing date was set for June 10, 2013. The defendant was released on bond pending sentencing.