Two men have been arrested and charged with illegally importing about $2 million worth of counterfeit collectible Disney pins from China and selling them over the Internet.
Robert Edward Smyrak, 52, of Anaheim, is charged with one felony count of the manufacturing and sale of counterfeit products.
Co-defendant Larry James Allred, 57, of Walnut, is also charged with one felony count of the manufacturing and sale of counterfeit products, authorities said. In addition, he faces sentencing enhancements based on two prior convictions, for rape in 1975 and for kidnapping in 1978.
Smyrak is believed to have masterminded the fraudulent scheme, while Allred is accused of assisting him with the scam.
The ruse involved sending legitimate collectible pins to a manufacturer in China to be replicated. The fake pins were then shipped back to the defendants.
Smyrak and Allred are believed to have received about 80 shipments of counterfeit pins from China, worth an estimated $2 million.
Officials said the scheme was uncovered in February 2011 when U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and import specialists intercepted a parcel at Los Angeles International Airport addressed to Smyrak. Inside the package was more than 150 pounds of fake Disney pins.
On April 14, 2011, police arrested Allred and Smyrak, who authorities allege had more than 100,000 forged pins in his possession.
Smyrak is out of custody on $50,000 bail. If convicted, prosecutors said he faces a maximum sentence of three years in state prison.
Allred is out of custody on his own recognizance. Based on his two prior convictions, he faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in state prison if convicted on the new charges.
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