Press Releases
TWO LOCAL RESIDENTS CHARGED WITH CRIMINAL INFRINGEMENT OF
COPYRIGHTED MATERIALS
June 18, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
U. S Attorney Jim Letten announced that two Louisiana residents were arrested today for with Criminal Infringement of Copyrighted Material based on indictments returned by a federal grand jury on June 5, 2008. ANTHONY JOHNSON, age 34 of Marrero, Louisiana was charged in a one count indictment with Criminal Infringement of Copyrighted Materials; DESI WILSON, age 37, of New Orleans, Louisiana, was charged in a second indictment with two counts of Criminal Infringement of Copyrighted Materials and third count of Criminal Trademark Infringement.
According to the indictment, Defendant ANTHONY JOHNSON distributed bootleg music CD’s. The indictment alleges that copyrighted recordings of Lil Wayne, Snoop Dog, Ludacris as well as other artists were copied and sold without permission for commercial gain.
According to a second indictment, Defendant DESI WILSON distributed both bootleg motion picture DVDs and music CD’s. The indictment alleges that the movies “Rush Hour 3”, “Dark Crystal”, “Rendition”, and “Kingdom” were among the copyrighted works that were pirated and copied without the consent of the copyright holder. It is also alleged that copyrighted recordings of BG, J. Holiday and Kanye West as well as other artists were copied and sold without permission. It is also alleged that both defendants infringed on certain trademarks and were selling “counterfeit” handbags with brand names such as, “Prada”, “Gucci”, “Dooney and Bourke”,, “Coach”, “Fendi”, “Chanel”, and “ Louis Vuitton”.
If convicted, ANTHONY JOHNSON faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 5 years, a fine of $250,000.00 and two (2) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.
If convicted, DESI WILSON each faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 5 years, a fine of $250,000.00 and two (2) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment for Counts One and Two count of the indictment and a maximum term of imprisonment of ten years imprisonment, a fine of $2,000,000 and three years of supervised release for Count Three.
These defendants were arrested as part of a continuing effort by federal law enforcement agencies to stop the sale of bootleg merchandise and copyrighted materials. Five other individuals have been previously charged in other federal cases. Two have pled guilty while three are awaiting trial.
U. S. Attorney Letten emphasized that the indictments are merely charges and that it is the government’s burden to prove the guilt of each defendant beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case against DESI WILSON was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security; Immigration, Customs Enforcement. The case against ANTHONY JOHNSON was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department. The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office assisted in the arrest of ANTHONY JOHNSON.
The cases are being prosecuted by the Chief of the Organized Crime Strike Force Unit, Mark A. Miller.
(Download Indictment for Johnson, Wilson 
)
