Hanahan Man Faces Counterfeiting Charge

United States Attorney W. Walter Wilkins stated today that William Drake Distler, age 23, of Hanahan, was charged in a federal Indictment with manufacturing counterfeit currency, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 471.

The Indictment alleges that from October 2008 through December 2008, Distler falsely made, forged, and counterfeited $100 bills with the intent to defraud.

The maximum penalty that Distler could receive is a fine of $250,000 and imprisonment of 20 years.

Mr. Wilkins stated that the case was investigated by agents of the Secret Service and that he has assigned the case to Assistant United States Attorney Rhett DeHart of the Charleston office for prosecution.

The United States Attorney stated that all charges in this Indictment are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Woman Guilty of Selling Fake Coupons

United States Attorney W. Walter Wilkins stated that Janice Marie Carlisle, 47, of Tega Cay, pled guilty on February 25, 2009, in federal court in Columbia to wire fraud by defrauding Outback Steakhouse by having fake coupons printed and then advertising and selling the fake Outback coupons. United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr. of Columbia will sentence Carlisle at a later date.

Carlisle admitted that in June 2005 she negotiated the printing of unauthorized Outback Steakhouse coupons with a printing company in North Carolina. Later in July 2005 Carlisle placed an order for 2,000 Outback Steakhouse coupons, which Outback Steakhouse confirmed were fake and not authorized by the company.

Carlisle faces a maximum possible penalty of twenty years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.

The case was investigated by agents of the United States Secret Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne Hunter Young of the Columbia office is prosecuting the case.

PEE DEE RESIDENTS INDICTED FOR COUNTERFEITING

United States Attorney W. Walter Wilkins stated today that Phillip Lee Laney, age 27, of Mt. Croghan, South Carolina, David Lee Williams, age 35, of Hartsville, South Carolina, Shane Lee Kearns, age 33, of Jefferson, South Carolina, and Lance Larenta Outen, age 19, of Hartsville, South Carolina, were charged in a three-count Indictment with the manufacture, distribution, and possession of counterfeit money, violations of Title 18, United States Code, Section 471, 472, and 473.

The maximum penalty each defendant could receive is a fine of $250,000.00 and imprisonment of 20 years.

Mr. Wilkins stated that the case was investigated by agents of the United States Secret Service and that he has assigned the case to Assistant United States Attorney William E. Day, II of the Florence office for prosecution.

The United States Attorney stated that all charges in this Indictment are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Bennettsville Counterfeiters Busted

Secretary of State and Bennettsville Police Seize Counterfeit Merchandise Valued at More Than $265,500
Three Bennettsville men charged and arrested

COLUMBIA -- The Secretary of State’s Office and the Bennettsville Police Department partnered to conduct a sting in Bennettsville on January 28, 2008, that resulted in the confiscation of $265,565 in counterfeit merchandise and other property. Henry Coachman of 206 Powers Street was charged with trafficking in counterfeit merchandise, as well as operating without a business license. Robert Sturdivant of 549 Aaron Temple Church Road was charged with the illegal sale of counterfeit merchandise; and Mark Washington of 1615 Mary Lee Street was charged with two counts of illegal distribution of recordings.



Coachman was using a 40-foot trailer in his yard as his storefront. Sturdivant also sold merchandise from Coachman’s yard and trailer. The counterfeit merchandise included handbags, clothing and shoes. The bogus goods featured the names and logos of trademarked companies such as Apple Bottoms, baby phat, BAPE, Chanel, Chloe, Coach, Coogi, Christian Dior, Dooney & Bourke, Ecko, Enyce, Evisu, Ed Hardy, Fendi, Guess, Gucci, Lacoste, Louis Vuitton, LRG, Nike, North Face, Red Monkey, Rocawear, Timberland, and True Religion.



The 40-foot trailer, a white cargo van, and $785.00 in cash were also seized.

In a separate seizure, Mark Washington’s Urban Sensations store at 136 Cheraw Street, was closed when 538 CDs and 649 DVDs were confiscated. Movies as current as Juno and Atonement, nominated last week for the Academy Award for Best Picture, were some the movies from which customers could choose.

Detective Larry Bowman of the Bennettsville Police Department received tips regarding these operations. With the assistance of the Secretary of State’s Office, both locations were shut down, and all three men were arrested. Coachman could face five years in prison, a $25,000 fine, or both. Sturdivant may face one year of prison, a $1,000 fine, or both. Washington’s felony charge for having more than 65 DVDs may cost him five years in prison, a $250,00 fine, or both; the misdemeanor charge for possessing more than 100, but less than 1,000 CDs may cost him two years in prison, $250,000, or both. These charges are based upon legislation that was the result of the joint efforts of law enforcement and the Secretary of State’s Office. The counterfeit items will remain in storage while the Police Department awaits a court order to destroy them.

“The success of this operation is an excellent example of how well the community can assist law enforcement in solving crimes, and it is also an example of the great working relationship between the Secretary of State’s Office and the Bennettsville Police Department,” said Chief of Police Larry McNeil.
“Counterfeiting is illegal,” said Secretary of State Mark Hammond. “And, while consumers can readily find fakes, cheap prices and availability are poor excuses for supporting illegal activity.”

For more information regarding trademark violations or to register a mark, contact Secretary of State Mark Hammond’s office at (803) 734-2170.