South Carolina Couple Charged With Trafficking Counterfeit Goods

David Haisten, 51, and Judy Haisten, 51, both of Irmo, South Carolina, were charged by Indictment, unsealed yesterday, with one count of conspiracy, six counts of violating the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, five counts of distributing misbranded animal drugs, and three counts of trafficking in counterfeit goods, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.  According to the Indictment[1], the defendants operated an online business that sold unregistered and misbranded pet pesticides, misbranded animal drugs, and counterfeit DVDs. 

If convicted, the defendants face a maximum possible sentence of 54 years imprisonment, a 3‑year period of supervised release, a $7,850,000 fine, and a $950 special assessment. 

The case was investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency Office of Inspector General, the Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations, the Department of Homeland Security, and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Christopher E. Parisi.                                                                             

An Indictment, Information or Criminal Complaint is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.