LAKE CITY — Authorities on Monday conducted a sting in Lake City that resulted in one arrest and the confiscation of nearly $200,000 in counterfeit merchandise, according to the South Carolina Secretary of State’s Office.
The merchandise was seized at All in the Family, at 101 W. Main St. in Lake City.
Arrested and charged with trafficking counterfeit goods was Melvin Nealy of 1125 Dennis Road, Lake City.
The operation was handled by the Secretary of State’s Office, the Lake City Police Department and the Florence County Sheriff’s Office.
The counterfeit merchandise included CDs, footwear, clothing, wallets, handbags, and sunglasses.
Companies misrepresented included Coach, Coogi, Dolce & Gabanna, Enyce, Ed Hardy, Evisu, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Nike, Polo, Rocawear and True Religion.
Lake City Police Chief Billy Brown assigned detectives with the Lake City Police Department to work with the Secretary of State’s Office to shut down the counterfeit operation in Florence County. The counterfeit items will remain in storage while the police department awaits a court order to destroy them.
“This being the first time that the Lake City Police Department has investigated a case of this kind, I would like to thank Sheriff Kenney Boone, the Florence County Sheriff’s Office and representatives from the South Carolina Secretary of State’s Office,” Lake City Police Chief Billy Brown said in a statement. “This was a joint effort by all involved. The Lake City Police Department will continue to investigate these cases and bring those involved to justice.”
Trafficking in counterfeit goods is a felony with a fine of as much as $25,000 and as long as five years in prison. More stringent trademark legislation was a result of the joint efforts of law enforcement and the Secretary of State’s Office.
For more information regarding trademark violations or to register a mark, call Secretary of State Mark Hammond’s office at (803) 734-2170.
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