Ten Indicted on Charges of Trafficking in Counterfeit Merchandise
Searches and Seizures Made at Multiple Locations in Northern California

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott, Placer County Sheriff Edward Bonner, and U.S. Secret Service Resident Agent-in-Charge Scott Gillingham announced today that a federal grand jury returned indictments today charging ten people with trademark violations, trafficking in counterfeit goods, and financial structuring.

These cases are the product of investigations by the California State Parole, Elk Grove Police Department, FBI, Galt Police Department, IRS—Criminal Investigations, Lodi Police Department, Placer County Sheriff’s Office, Roseville Police Department, Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, Sacramento Police Department, U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement, and United States Secret Service. The trademark holders cooperated with law enforcement in investigating these cases.

The following individuals have been indicted: QI JIN CHEN, aka Jimmy, 36, of Stockton; SUNSHINE PASCUAL, 37, of Sacramento; MARIA “PALA” BROSNAN, 68, of Fremont; KYONG YONG KIM, 60, of San Jose; YI NI, 44, of San Gabriel; DONG HUN JUN, 63, of Union City; JOSE QUEVEDO-MEZA, 33, of Elk Grove; GRISELDA AVILA, 30, of Elk Grove; and RAYMOND MAO, 58, and ELISA CHING, 58, both from San Jose.

According to Assistant United States Attorney Robin Taylor, who is prosecuting the case, the defendants sold a volume of counterfeited merchandise, including counterfeited bags, wallets, jewelry, watches, clothing, as well as trademarked emblems, labels, and badges, and also UL power strips at the Galt Flea Market, and elsewhere. CHEN is further alleged to have illegally structured approximately $132,921 into United Commercial Bank to circumvent bank reporting requirements.

A conviction on federal criminal trademark violations carry a maximum of 10 years in prison, a fine of $2 million, or both, for a first offense. A defendant faces a fine of not more than $5 million, and a maximum of 20 years in prison, or both, for a second offense. The counterfeited items are also subject to forfeiture. A conviction for structuring financial transactions over $100,000 carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $500,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables and any applicable statutory sentencing factors. 

The charges are only allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

 

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