NEW ORLEANS –  U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that MAHER SALIM, age 41, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Jay A. Zainey to (3) years after previously pleading guilty to trafficking in counterfeit goods, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2320(a)(1).  Judge Zainey scheduled a hearing to determine restitution owed to the victims for September 24, 2019.



According to court documents, SALIM owned and operated BRANDS 4 LESS, a business located at 4200 Washington Avenue, Unit A, in New Orleans.  On about November 6, 2016, agents with the United States Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”) conducted a cargo inspection of a suspicious package addressed to SALIM at the DHL Express facility in Kenner, Louisiana.  The package contained 32 pairs of Nike shoes that were determined to be counterfeit.  Thereafter, a Nike representative entered BRANDS 4 LESS during its business hours and purchased another pair of counterfeit Nike shoes.  Based on this information, HSI agents executed a federal search warrant on BRANDS 4 LESS on January 19, 2017.  During the search, agents seized numerous counterfeit goods SALIM was selling that bore the false marks of makers of clothing and luxury goods, including True Religion, Rock Revival, Michael Kors, Coach, Louis Vuitton, Polo, Timberland, New Era, Nike, Adidas, Dolce & Gabbana, Mitchell & Ness, and North Face.  The collective fair market value of all the items was approximately $193,980.

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the United States Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations.  Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Ginsberg was in charge of the prosecution.





 

NEW ORLEANS –  U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that MAHER SALIM, age 41, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge Jay A. Zainey after previously being charged with trafficking in counterfeit goods, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2320(a)(1).



According to court documents, SALIM owned and operated BRANDS 4 LESS, a business located at 4200 Washington Avenue, Unit A, in New Orleans.  On about November 9, 2016, agents with the United States Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”) conducted a cargo inspection of a suspicious package addressed to SALIM at the DHL Express facility in Kenner, Louisiana.  The package contained 32 pairs of Nike shoes that were determined to be counterfeit.  Thereafter, a Nike representative entered BRANDS 4 LESS during its business hours and purchased another pair of counterfeit Nike shoes.  Based on this information, HSI agents executed a federal search warrant on BRANDS 4 LESS on January 19, 2017.  During the search, agents seized numerous counterfeit goods SALIM was selling that bore the false marks of makers of clothing and luxury goods, including True Religion, Rock Revival, Michael Kors, Coach, Louis Vuitton, Polo, Timberland, New Era, Nike, Adidas, Dolce & Gabbana, Mitchell & Ness, and North Face.  The collective fair market value of all the items was approximately $193,980.

SALIM faces a maximum term of ten (10) years in prison, a fine of up to $2,000,000.00, up to three (3) years of supervised release after imprisonment, and a mandatory $100 special assessment.  Sentencing before Judge Zainey has been scheduled for May 14, 2019.

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the United States Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations.  Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Ginsberg is in charge of the prosecution.





 

U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that MAHIR SALIM (a/k/a MAHER SALEM, MIKE SALEM), age 40, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was charged today by a federal grand jury in a one-count Indictment with trafficking in counterfeit goods.



According to the Indictment, beginning at a time unknown and continuing until about January 19, 2017, SALIM trafficked and attempted to traffic in approximately 111 pair of “True Religion” blue jeans, 50 pair of “Rock Revival” jeans, 8 “Michael Kors” purses, 19 “Coach” wallets, 2 “Michael Kors” wallets, 8 “Louis Vutton” purses, 6 “Gucci” purses, 177 “Polo” sweatshirts, 41 pair of “Polo” sweatpants, 24 “Polo” jogging suits, 44 pair of “Timberland” boots, 336 “New Era” hats, 473 pair of “Nike” shoes, 21 “Adidas” jogging suits, 114 pair of “Adidas” shoes, 6 bottles “Dolce & Gabbana” perfume, 110 “Mitchell & Ness” hats, 24 “North Face” vests, and 43 “Nike” hats.

If convicted, SALIM faces a maximum term of imprisonment of ten (10) years, a fine of up to $250,000.00, three years supervised release after imprisonment, and a mandatory $100 special assessment. 

U. S. Attorney Evans reiterated that an Indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

U. S. Attorney Evans praised the work of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations.  Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Ginsberg is in charge of the prosecution.