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DA Newsletter Press Releases Opinion Editorials


	DA Newsletter Press Releases Opinion Editorials

For Immediate Release
(print version)

Contact: Ingrid Wyatt
Public Information Officer
(951) 955-5626

ARRESTS MADE IN COUNTERFEIT MUSIC STING OPERATION

RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA, July 16, 2007: Five people were arrested Sunday during a sting operation conducted by the Riverside County District Attorney's Office and the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) it was announced today.

Five people were arrested and six illegal businesses shut down for selling counterfeit music recordings. A total of 2,826 illegal CDs were seized with a street value of $36,709. Arrested were Frederick Cruz of Riverside, Aduardo Murillo of Moreno Valley, Jose Cerros of Fontana, Francisco Nolasco of Corona and David Ortega of Fullerton.

The sting operation was conducted at the Van Buren Swap Meet located at the Van Buren Drive-In in Riverside after the RIAA received tips that vendors were selling pirated music. Subsequent surveillance confirmed that several vendors were indeed selling pirated CDs and recordings.

In this operation, investigators were targeting mid-level offenders after an investigation of complaints and blatant violators of California Law protecting such merchandise. More arrests are expected as a result of this investigation.

Possessing for sale over 100 illegal CDs and/or movies is a felony punishable by five years in state prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

The Riverside County District Attorney's Office and the Recording Industry Association of America are conducting such sting operations in an effort to curtail and prevent the spread of consumer fraud and organized criminal activity.

The RIAA and the Riverside County District Attorney's Office conduct sting operations on a regular basis. The purpose is to highlight the dangers to consumers who buy counterfeit merchandise and to educate the public on the ties money generated from the sale of illegal merchandise has to gangs, organized crime and funding of terrorist activity inside and outside the United States.

Before buying any CDs, the RIAA recommends that consumers verify the product is produced by the entertainment industry.

If you are aware of counterfeit merchandise being produced or sold or have information regarding such illegal activity please contact Sr. Investigator Scott Michaels of the Riverside County District Attorney's Bureau of Investigation at (951) 955-5430.