Bedford Heights man charged with trafficking in counterfeit goods and copyrighted DVDs

An information was filed charging Carlton R. Brown, age 55, of Bedford Heights, Ohio, in connection with his trafficking in counterfeit goods and with infringement on copyrights, said Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

The information charges that on June 7, 2011, Carlton Brown trafficked in counterfeit purses, bags and wallets and also infringed on approximately 395 copyrighted motion-picture DVDs. Carlton Brown is a supervisor at the VA Medical Center in Cleveland where this conduct occurred.

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation.

This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason M. Katz of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio, Cleveland office, following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs–Office of Inspector General and the VA police.

An information is a charge filed by the U.S. Attorney with the defendant’s consent and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.