DEARBORN, Mich. – A Dearborn man was sentenced Tuesday to 36 months in federal prison and 2 years probation for trafficking in counterfeit goods.
U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade made the announcement on Wednesday.
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Hassan Aoun, age 43 and six others pleaded guilty to importing counterfeit items that they sold as luxury name brand products, including: Nike, Gucci and Timberland shoes; Coach, Christian Dior and Louis Vuitton purses; and clothing lines from brands such as Diesel Jeans, Burberry, Lacoste, Coogi, and professional sports teams.
McQuade says the group transported items from New York and sold them at retail stores in the Detroit area, including Off Da Hook, Da Hook Up, Da Jump Off, Boom Boom Wear, Fresh Gear, Hot Wear, and Kings and Queens.
Nithal Aoun, 35, Mohamad Aoun, 26, Wissam Aoun, 40, Ghassan Aoun, 47, and Carlos Evans, 43, all of Dearborn were also charged along with John Taylor, 48, of Detroit.
In addition to the sentence, the defendants forfeited a 2006 Bentley Continental, a 2002 Toyota Sequoia, $61,384 in cash, as well as over 1,000 shipping boxes filled with counterfeit merchandise.
"Intellectual property crimes are not victimless crimes. They harm local businesses that play by the rules." said McQuade.
Residents who think similar crimes may be occurring are encouraged to visit cybercrime.gov, fbi.gov, or iprcenter.gov, to report the conduct.