Texas merchant pleads guilty, fake designer items
Texas border merchant pleads guilty to selling fake designer goods, thousands of items seized
LAREDO, Texas (AP) -- A merchant in a Texas border city has pleaded guilty to selling fake designer goods in an investigation that netted nearly 6,000 bogus items.
Prosecutors in Laredo on Thursday announced 43-year-old Ji Hui Chen of Laredo pleaded guilty to trafficking in counterfeit goods. He owns J Design in downtown Laredo.
Federal agents working undercover bought counterfeit designer products including handbags, wallets, hats, sunglasses, shirts and luggage. Brands included Burberry, Cartier, Chanel, Coach, Gucci, Jimmy Choo, Prada and Rolex.
No sentencing date was immediately set for Chen. He faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
