Fake Sports Gear Kingpin Busted

Federal authorities have brought down a major operation selling fake sports gear, including jerseys, hats, and other merchandise featuring the logos of the Oakland Raiders, the San Francisco 49ers, the San Francisco Giants, and Monster Energy. Seyyed Ali Noori, a 48-year-old man from Mountain House, California, was indicted on two counts of trafficking and attempted trafficking in counterfeit goods.

Noori, who owned and operated Goldstar Wholesale LLC, a wholesale and retail business selling apparel, accessories, and other goods, allegedly stored his inventory in a warehouse in Tracy and sold his goods from the warehouse and also from a reserved space at the Galt Flea Market. In December 2013, Noori intentionally trafficked and attempted to traffic in goods with counterfeit trademarks, according to court documents.

The case is the result of an investigation by the Sacramento Intellectual Property Rights Task Force. Prosecutors Aaron Cooper and Timothy Flowers, along with Assistant U.S. Attorney Shelley D. Weger, are handling the case.

Noori faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $4 million fine if convicted. However, any sentence would be determined by the court after considering applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

The charges are only allegations, and Noori is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The alleged scheme highlights the prevalence of counterfeit goods in the market and the lengths to which some individuals will go to profit from them.

The investigation and prosecution of Noori’s case demonstrate the importance of protecting intellectual property rights and holding those who engage in counterfeiting activities accountable for their actions. This case serves as a reminder to consumers to be aware of the potential for counterfeit goods and to make informed purchasing decisions.

With the rise of online marketplaces and flea markets, counterfeit goods have become increasingly prevalent. As this case shows, law enforcement agencies and prosecutors are working to combat this issue and bring those responsible to justice.