PHILADELPHIA – Emiliano Rodriguez, 45, of Philadelphia, PA, a Dominican Republic citizen, has confessed to a dangerous scheme that put lives at risk. Rodriguez pleaded guilty today to one count of trafficking in counterfeit goods and two counts of causing the delivery of hazardous materials by air carrier. For years, he flooded the used car market with vehicles rigged with cheap, potentially lethal, fake airbags imported directly from China.
According to federal prosecutors, from January 2017 through October 30, 2019, Rodriguez, operating as an auto mechanic, systematically imported these substandard airbags. He then installed them in salvaged vehicles before reselling them to unsuspecting customers. China remains the world’s primary source of counterfeit goods, and Rodriguez exploited this, prioritizing profit over public safety. The motive was simple: cut costs and boost his bottom line, regardless of the consequences.
“Counterfeit airbags are playing Russian roulette with the lives of unsuspecting consumers,” declared U.S. Attorney Jacqueline Romero. “The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration notes that counterfeits have consistently been shown to malfunction. Emiliano Rodriguez peddled these airbags for profit, knowing lives would be at risk. Consumers must also be aware of the threat.” The risk isn’t just theoretical. These defective airbags can fail to inflate in a crash, or worse, deploy with explosive force, causing severe injury or death.
Federal agents weren’t kidding when they raided Rodriguez’s operation. They recovered over 450 counterfeit airbags and related parts from his residence and business. Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge William S. Walker warned, “Emiliano Rodriguez’s plea should serve as a potent warning that disreputable actors could circumvent our laws and safety protocols by using international commerce to obtain and install faulty, unsafe, and counterfeit equipment in order to make a profit.” He urged consumers to buy from reputable dealers and verify a seller’s track record.
The Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General also weighed in, highlighting the danger of illegally transported counterfeit airbags making their way onto roads. Special Agent in Charge Christopher A. Scharf emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “Today’s announcement is a sober reminder that the safety of the public is put at grave risk when counterfeit airbags are illegally transported by air and later introduced into the market and cars traveling on our roads.” Consumers are encouraged to consult resources at https://www.nhtsa.gov/equipment/air-bags#the-topic-fake-air-bags.
Rodriguez now faces a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, three years of supervised release, $50,000 in fines, and a $200 special assessment. But the legal troubles don’t end there. As a non-U.S. citizen, he’s also facing deportation. The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations and the Department of Transportation, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney M. Beth Leahy.
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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