Police have arrested a New Jersey electronics store owner on criminial charges of selling counterfeit Apple products. Authorities seized hundreds of fake Apple products, including AirPods Max, iPhones, and other fake products, all of which were all packaged in faux Apple retail packaging.
NJ.com (via AppleInsider) reports the 63-year-old Woodland Park man was arrested on June 5. The arrest was made under Essex County’s Intellectual Property Enforcement Program, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Justice. The federal government provides financing for enforcement programs like the one in New Jersey as a part of a federal program to fund local prosecution of intellectual property crimes around the country.
The so-far-unnamed electronics store owner has been charged with third-degree counterfeiting. The defendant has yet to enter a plea, and the investigation is ongoing.
It appears the arrssted individual may get away with only being out on probation if convicted. While New Jersey law says crooks can received up to three to five years in prison, it also states that first-time offenders should receive probation rather than jail time. So if the suspect is a first-time offender and there are no aggravating circumstances, he could just receive probation.
As you might imagine, Apple warns against purchasing fake electronic goods and offers information about how to identify fake goods.
If you believe you may have purchased a counterfeit Apple device or accessory you should contact local law enforcement or file a complaint through the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center.
