NEWARK, NJ (NEWSWATCH33) – Carolyn A. Murray, acting Essex County Prosecutor, announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Intllectual Property Task Force and the Department of Homeland Security, executed search warrants on two stores in Newark where black market and counterfeited movies, music, and clothing were being sold.
After a six-moth investigation, authorities from both agencies executed a search warrant at K&K General Merchandise and Dollar City Variety Store which is located on Springfield Avenue.
The search uncovered over $65,000 in counterfeit DVDs and CDs. The items seized included 12,000 counterfeit movies, CD and DVD duplicators, counterfeit music, and bank accounts linked to the sales of the merchandise.
Prosecutors charged Alfred Kamara, 44, of Irvington and Jackie Barnes, 50, of Newark with second degree counterfeiting and third degree pirating recordings. Some of the counterfeit music included recordings from artists such as: Jadakiss, Wale, Fabolous, TI, Lil Wayne, Jim Jones, French Montana, Lil Kim, Wiz Kalifa, Young Jeezy, Fabolous, and Kanye West.
“While many may view counterfeiting as a victimless crime, in fact, this kind of theft affects not only the artists and those who work with them in distributing their work, but it also has a negative impact on those who work rightfully behind the counters, thus robbing them of the proceeds they are entitled to for the work they have done,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Cynthia Teller, who is handling the case.
As of now, these are strictly accusations on the parties involved. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they enter a guilty plea or are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
