Southern California Man Who Sold Fake Disney Pins from China is Sentenced to Prison

A man in southern California was recently sentenced to eight years in state prison after he was caught importing and selling counterfeit Disney pins from China.

Larry James Allred of Walnut, California pleaded guilty to one charge of felony trademark infringement. This was not Allred's first brush with the law " he was convicted of rape in 1975 and was also convicted of kidnapping and rape in 1978.

Prosecutors in the Disney pin case say Allred and his partner in crime Robert Edward Smyrak of Anaheim were sending real Disney pins to a manufacturer in China so the pins could be replicated. Then, the pins were sent back to the United States and Allred and Smyrak sold them online in bulk. This illegal activity took place between January 2010 and April 2011.

The duo sold nearly 1 million counterfeit pins, often for less than $1 a pin. True Disney pin collectors know the authentic versions cost between $6.95 and $14.95.

The illegal pin operation was busted in 2011 when customs officials at LAX opened a package that was addressed to Smyrak and found more than 150 pounds of counterfeit pins. When the men were arrested they had more than 91,000 counterfeit pins in their possession.

Smyrak pleaded guilty in 2011 to one count of felony trademark infringement and was sentenced to one year in jail, three years probation, and was ordered to pay restitution. Allred will also have to pay $201,000 in restitution.

Story by Traci C., Source