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Fifteen Arrested in Counterfeit Merchandise Sting at Darlington Raceway

600 bootleg t-shirts confiscated, as well as cash and vehicles

5/13/2009
Darlington -- The Secretary of State’s Office and the Darlington County Sheriff’s Office partnered to conduct a sting at the Darlington Raceway on May 12, 2009, that resulted in the confiscation of approximately $15,175 in counterfeit t-shirts, $6,000 in cash, and two vehicles. Fifteen people were arrested and charged with trafficking counterfeit merchandise.

The Secretary of State’s Office worked with the Darlington County Sheriff’s Office to shut down the weekend vendors.  The counterfeit items will remain in storage while the Sheriff’s Office awaits a court order to destroy them.

“The Raceway is the crown jewel of the tourism industry,” said Secretary of State Mark Hammond. “We don’t need people coming here and preying on the fans.” 

Investigators with the Darlington County Sheriff’s Office spotted a vendor selling counterfeit goods while undercover investigators circled the track. That vendor was part of a larger scheme spanning the track, selling inferior goods to unsuspecting race fans. 

“It became apparent that this wasn’t someone working out of their home,” said Sheriff Wayne Byrd. “This was a big operation.”

Arrested on charges of trafficking counterfeit goods were: Quentin Samuel Evans and Paul Lee Miles of Jacksonville, Fl; Mack Darrial Duckson of St. Matthews; Shanieque Rochelle Williams of Eastover; Paul Taylor, Wilbert Gregory Prince, Travis Dwaine Collins, Quincy O’Neil Washington, Willie Smith Frank Parsons, Andre Anthony Jones, and Michelle Hill of Columbia; Schnetta Lnae Davis of Hopkins; and Leroy Deion Hill and James Waters of Atlanta.

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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