A couple has been arrested and arraigned for possessing over $1 million worth of counterfeit high-end merchandise with brands such as Gucci, Tiffany and Louis Vuitton.
On June 7, a search warrant was executed at the Patchogue home and Holbrook office of Jennifer Wolters and Phillip Gallo. Suffolk County police officers assigned to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office, along with the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Postal Service, allegedly seized counterfeit merchandise valued at more than $1 million.
Wolters and Gallo were arraigned on June 25 for trademark counterfeiting in the first degree, a class C felony. They were released from jail without bail because the charges are considered non-bail eligible under current New York State law, meaning prosecutors cannot ask for, and judges cannot set, bail.
“Legitimate commerce is a pillar for a healthy economy,” said District Attorney Raymond Tierney. “The sale of counterfeit items harms legitimate businesses and impacts consumer confidence which in turn affects our economy. My office will continue to work with our federal partners and hold individuals responsible for introducing counterfeit merchandise into our stream of commerce.”
Wolters and Gallo are both due back in court on July 17.