Smuggler Of Counterfeit Levi Labels Sentenced To Six Months In Prison

United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced today that a Washington State resident was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Barry Ted Moskowitz to serve six months in custody for smuggling counterfeit Levi Strauss tags, labels and buttons into the United States. Angel Garcia Hernandez admitted that on December 28, 2013, he entered the United States from Mexico with a duffel bag stuffed with counterfeit Levi Strauss buttons, tags and labels, which he intentionally failed to declare. Hernandez possessed enough counterfeit labels to manufacture 3,000 pairs of counterfeit Levis 501 jeans, which were valued at $192,000.

An hour and a half later the same day that Garcia Hernandez entered the United States, defendant Amadeo Calderon Valdivinos also entered the United States from Mexico at the same Port of Entry, with enough counterfeit Levi Strauss buttons, tags and labels to make $127,000 of counterfeit 501 jeans. Valdivinos pled guilty in Criminal Case 13cr4346-JAH, and was sentenced in April to four months in custody by U.S. District Judge John A. Houston.

“Intellectual property crimes, such as the counterfeit trademark offenses in these cases, strike at the heart of America’s modern economy,” said U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy. “Those who seek to steal and misuse intellectual property should know that the Department of Justice and our law enforcement partners will use the full range of enforcement tools available – including, where appropriate, criminal prosecution – to prevent these offenders from profiting at the expense of the reputation of United States companies and individuals.”

DEFENDANT		Case Number: 14cr1034-BTM
Angel Garcia Hernandez	Age: 55	Bridgeport, Washington
CHARGES
Smuggling, in Violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 545. Maximum Penalties: 20 years in custody and/or $250,000 fine, $100 special assessment.
DEFENDANT		Case Number: 13cr4346-JAH
Amadeo Calderon Valdivinos	Age: 55	Rialto, California
CHARGES
Smuggling, in Violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 545. Maximum Penalties: 20 years in custody and/or $250,000 fine, $100 special assessment.
INVESTIGATING AGENCY
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement
*Indictments and complaints are not evidence that the defendant committed the crime charged.  All defendants are presumed innocent until the United States meets its burden in court of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.