News and Press Releases
Plymouth man charged with selling counterfeit cell phones
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 14, 2012
MINNEAPOLIS—Late yesterday in federal court, a 39-year-old Plymouth man was charged with selling refurbished and counterfeit cellular telephones on the Internet, claiming they were brand new. Via an Information, Mario Samson was charged with one count of trafficking in counterfeit goods.
Allegedly, from May 1, 2010, to July 19, 2011, Samson intentionally trafficked and attempted to traffic cell phones and cell phone accessories that featured counterfeit marks identical to registered trademarks of multiple electronics companies.
If convicted, Samson faces a potential maximum penalty of ten years in prison. All sentences will be determined by a federal district court judge.
This case is the result of an investigation by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin P. Johnson.
A defendant, of course, is presumed innocent until he or she pleads guilty or is proven guilty at trial.
