Xian Chen Chen, Counterfeit Luxury Goods, Massachusetts 2013

[Grimy Times Image: Counterfeit Luxury Goods]

BOSTON – In a brazen display of deceit, Xian Chen Chen, a 39-year-old New York City man, was charged today in U.S. District Court in Boston for selling counterfeit goods bearing luxury trademarks at the Marshfield Fair.

The Information alleges that in the summer of 2013, Chen Chen sold goods fraudulently bearing the trademarks of Armani, Beats by Dr. Dre, Burberry, Bvlgari, Chanel, Christian Dior, Coach, Dolce Gabbana, Dooney & Bourke, Ed Hardy, Fendi, Gucci, Hello Kitty, Jimmy Choo, Juicy Couture, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, Oakley, Prada, Ray Ban, The North Face, Tiffany & Co., Tory Burch, and Versace.

The charge provides for a sentence of no greater than two years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gain or loss, whichever is greater. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Chen Chen's crimes were uncovered through a joint investigation by federal authorities. United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and Matthew Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Harman Burkart of Ortiz's Cybercrime Unit.

The details in the Information are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Xian Chen Chen, charged with introducing imported merchandise by means of false statements and practices, faces the following sentence: up to two years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gain or loss, whichever is greater. His case will be decided in the U.S. District Court in Boston.

In related news, authorities are urging consumers to be vigilant when shopping at festivals and fairs, as counterfeit goods can be difficult to distinguish from authentic products.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/new-york-man-charged-selling-luxury-counterfeit-goods-marshfield-fair