Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that members of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Intellectual Property Task Force and Special Agents from the Department of Homeland Security, executed search warrants in two locations in Newark where counterfeited and pirated CDs and DVDs were being sold.
Following a six-month investigation, agents and detectives executed a search warrant at 3 William Street, known as K&K General Merchandise, and at 454 Springfield Avenue, known as Dollar City Variety Store.
The search yielded a net seizure of over 12,000 items of pirated and counterfeit sound and audio-visual recordings worth over $65,000.00. In addition to the 12,000 pirated and counterfeit recordings, agents and detectives from the task force seized several CD/DVD burner duplicators, as well as numerous recording devices, packaging paraphernalia and bank accounts.
From 3 William Street, prosecutors charged Alfred Kamara, 44, of Irvington with several complaints including second degree counterfeiting and third degree pirating recordings.
At that location counterfeit CDs containing the works of artists such as: Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Fabolous, Iggy Azelia, Drake, Kanye West, Wale, Nick Jonas, French Montana, Usher, Alicia Keys, Snoop Dogg, Neyo, K. Michelle and Nicki Minaj were recovered.
From 454 Springfield Avenue, prosecutors charged store owner and operator, Jackie Barnes, 50, of Newark with second degree counterfeiting and third degree pirating recordings. CDs confiscated from this location were the works of artists such as: Jadakiss, Wale, Fabolous, TI, Lil Wayne, Jim Jones, French Montana, Lil Kim, Wiz Kalifa, Jeezy, Fabolous, Quan, and Kanye West.
“While many may view counterfeiting as a victimless crime, in fact, this kind of theft affects not only the artists and those who work with them in distributing their work, but it also has a negative impact on those who work rightfully behind the counters, thus robbing them of the proceeds they are entitled to for the work they have done,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Cynthia Teller, who is handling the case.
The newly formed Intellectual Property Crimes Unit and task force are targeting crimes and violations against Intellectual Property Rights.
These are accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they enter a guilty plea or are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.