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Raid in Dillon Nets More Than $34,000 in Counterfeit Merchandise

4/6/2009
COLUMBIA -- Agents with the Secretary of State’s Office, the Dillon County Sheriff’s Office and the Dillon Police Department partnered to conduct two stings in Dillon on April 2, 2009 that resulted in one arrest and the confiscation of $34,095.00 in counterfeit merchandise. 

Charged with distribution of counterfeit goods were Devon T. Ward of 411 Rosewood Drive, and Tyrone Davis, 121 Lee Street, both of Dillon, SC.

Mr. Ward was selling counterfeit shoes from the trunk of his car, parked outside an East Hampton Street barber shop. The shoes, bearing the logos of Nike and Prada, were valued at $5,500. Ward was arrested on charges of simple possession of marijuana.

Mr. Davis was charged with selling fake clothing, purses, sunglasses, footwear, and DVDs at Exclusive Urban Connection at 215 1^st Avenue in Dillon. The nearly $28,600 worth of merchandise bore the trademarks of Coach, Coogi, Nike, Ed Hardy, the Motion Picture Association of America, and Timberland.

Sheriff Major Hulon with the Dillon County Sheriff’s Office assigned detectives to work with the South Carolina Secretary of State’s Office to shut down the counterfeit operations in Dillon County. The counterfeit items will remain in storage while the Sheriff’s Office awaits a court order to destroy them.

“Passing counterfeit merchandise is a serious offense which disrupts the integrity of our local economy,” said Sheriff Hulon. “Our office is committed to arresting and prosecuting counterfeiting offenses. I want to take this opportunity to thank the agents of the Secretary of State's Office as well as the officers of the Dillon County Sheriff’s Department and the Dillon Police Department for a successful operation.”

“The sale of counterfeit merchandise is not a victimless crime. It hurts manufacturers, retailers, and the economy,” said Secretary of State Mark Hammond.   I commend the efforts of local law enforcement to protect intellectual property rights and to protect the citizens in this state, and I am pleased that the trademark legislation will provide tougher penalties for these types of crimes.”

Ward may face a fine of $10,000 and/or three years in prison. Davis may face a fine of $20,000 and/or five years in prison. This legislation was a result of the joint efforts of law enforcement and the Secretary of State’s Office. 

For more information regarding trademark violations or to register a mark, contact Secretary of State Mark Hammond’s office at (803) 734-2170.

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