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Press Release

Pinellas County Man Pleads Guilty To Trafficking In Counterfeit Sports Jerseys

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Florida

Tampa, Florida – Thomas Walker (74, Clearwater) has pleaded guilty to trafficking in counterfeit sports jerseys. Walker faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. His sentencing date is not yet scheduled.

According to the plea agreement and facts presented at the plea hearing, Walker owned and operated a business called “Tim’s Sports Cards Plus,” which he operated from a booth at the Oldsmar Flea Market. Among the items sold were numerous sports jerseys bearing the counterfeit trademarks of purported sports organizations, including the National Football League (NFL), the National Hockey League (NHL), and Major League Baseball (MLB).

On January 27, 2017, federal law enforcement agents went to Walker’s booth at the Oldsmar Flea Market, spoke with him, and seized 699 jerseys that were for sale and bearing counterfeit NFL marks. The agents also went to Walker’s home and seized over 1,500 additional counterfeit jerseys from all three purported sports leagues. During an interview with agents, Walker admitted that he had purchased the counterfeit jerseys from a supplier located in China.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jay L. Hoffer.

Updated October 30, 2019

Topic
Financial Fraud