Press Release
Antelope Man Pleads Guilty to Selling Counterfeit Airbags Online
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of California
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Vitaliy Fedorchuk, 28, of Antelope, pleaded guilty today to five counts of mail fraud for an international scheme to sell counterfeit airbags via eBay and other internet sales sites, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, between June 23, 2014, and July 27, 2016, Fedorchuk offered for sale airbag modules, covers, and manufacturer emblems at his eBay online store, redbarnautoparts. Fedorchuk falsely advertised that the counterfeit airbags were original equipment from major automobile manufacturers such as Honda, Fiat, Chrysler, Nissan, Toyota, GMC and Ford. During the scheme, Fedorchuk sold hundreds of counterfeit airbags and obtained more than $95,000.
According to the plea agreement, all airbag parts Fedorchuk sold through his online store were counterfeit. Each identified automobile manufacturer informed law enforcement that the specific airbag items (including covers and emblems) are not sold individually. The items are sold as part of an airbag assembly to authorized dealers. Additionally, due to the significance and importance of airbag functionality and potential for loss of life or injury, such new airbag items are not sold on eBay and must be purchased through an authorized dealer. The authentic airbag covers and modules contain distinctive manufacturer markings that include the date of production. All airbag related items sold by Fedorchuk failed to contain such distinctive markings.
This case is the product of an investigation of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Rodriguez is prosecuting the case.
Fedorchuk is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Kimberly J. Mueller on October 4, 2017. Fedorchuk faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
Updated May 31, 2017
Topic
Consumer Protection
Component