Summary

On March 12, 2015, Hussein Jomaa, Manager of Eagle Auto Sales, was sentenced in U.S. District Court, Detroit, Michigan, to 36 months probation, 200 hours of community service, and a $3,000 fine for trafficking counterfeit airbags. Jomaa pleaded guilty to the charges in December 2014.

The investigation revealed that Jomaa and Samar Ayoub, an Associate at Eagle Auto Sales,  intentionally trafficked goods they knew bore counterfeit and trademark infringing marks which were identical to and substantially indistinguishable from genuine parts. Jomaa purchased counterfeit automotive parts purporting that they were genuine American Honda Motor Company, Inc. parts. In particular, Jomaa purchased counterfeit Honda branded airbags, airbag covers, "H" logo emblems, and center wheel caps from various sources, including Ayoub. Jomaa would then place the counterfeit Honda branded parts into used and salvaged Honda vehicles for resale. Jomaa, using Eagle Auto Sales, illegally caused to be exported over 85 salvaged and/or used Honda vehicles that contained counterfeit and trademark infringing Honda automobile parts. The loss related to criminal conduct was stipulated to be $60,000 for Ayoub and $40,000 for Jomaa. Sentencing for Ayoub is pending.

OIG is conducting this investigation with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations.