St. Louis, MO - Same Ndiaye pled guilty to selling counterfeit goods from Sasooum Sport Fashions, which he owned and operated. Counterfeit items seized by law enforcement exceeded $900,000 in retail value had they been authentic. Being counterfeit, Ndiaye was able to offer his merchandise at a steep discount from the suggested retail price for authentic goods. The discounted price for the seized merchandise exceeded $300,000.

According to court documents, for several years leading up to February 15, 2012, Ndiaye had received numerous warnings and complaints from various designers that merchandise offered for sale in his store was counterfeit. On February 15, 2012, federal law enforcement officials executed a search warrant for counterfeit goods at the store and found that virtually every one of the thousands of items for sale in the store were counterfeit, including the Gucci apparel, which, if authentic, would have been valued at approximately $9,000. That same day, agents found another large quantity of counterfeit goods at his residence.

SAME NDIAYE, St. Louis County, pled guilty to one felony count of trafficking counterfeit goods before United States District Judge Henry E. Autrey. Sentencing has been set for October 3, 2012.

This charge carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison and/or fines up to $2 million. In determining the actual sentences, a Judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.

This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Assistant United States Attorney Tom Albus is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.