Terrytown Man, Warren Stewart, Charged With Recording Movies In A Local Theater And Criminal Infringement Of A Copyright

WARREN STEWART, age 37, a resident of Terrytown, Louisiana, was charged in a two-count Bill of Information with unauthorized recording of a motion picture and criminal infringement of a copyright, announced United States Attorney Dana J. Boente.

According to the Bill of Information, on January 27, 2013, STEWART used a digital camcorder to record the motion picture Broken City at the AMC Westbank Palace, located in Harvey, Louisiana.  The Bill of Information also charges that until March 6, 2013, STEWART knowingly and willfully, for the purpose of commercial advantage and private financial gain, infringed the copyright of copyrighted works by distributing ten or more copies of the works during a 180-day period, which had a total retail value in excess of $2,500. 

If convicted, STEWART faces a maximum term of imprisonment of not more than three years as to Count 1 and five years as to Count 2, followed by up to three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.

United States Attorney Boente reiterated that the Bill of Information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Ginsberg.

(Download Bill of Information )