Seven Year Sentences Handed Down by Miami Federal Judge
In my June 2006 column for World City Magazine, Counterfeit Crackdown, I applauded the stiffer sentences that federal judges in South Florida have recently been giving to convicted counterfeiters. This trend continues with the 7+ year sentences handed down by South Florida federal judge Jose E. Martinez on August 25, 2006. The case involved counterfeit electrical cords, batteries, handbags, wallets, suitcases, shoes, hats, sunglasses, watches, key holders, umbrellas, clothing and accessories bearing the counterfeit trademarks of Underwriters Laboratories, Duracell, Louis Vuitton, Rolex, Prada, Gucci, Coach, Disney, Nike, Major League Baseball, Oakley, and others. Martinez sentenced convicted counterfeiter Ji Wu Chen to ninety-seven months and his co-conspirator Meihua Li to eighty-seven months in federal prison. Chen and Li were convicted on June 9, 2006. According to the evidence presented at trial, the defendants imported counterfeit branded goods from China to their home and warehouse. They then sold the counterfeits directly from their warehouse as well as from a booth at the Opa-Locka Flea Market. Click here for more information about this case.