Tim Tate-Tupelo Police Department (662.841.6546) ttate@ci.tupelo.ms.us

Tupelo Police Arrest suspect on counterfiet clothing.

On 04/07/2009, after receiving complaints from local citizens, the TPD Detectives Division, assisted by Agents with the North Mississippi Narcotics Unit and the TPD Patrol Division, executed a search warrant on a West Jackson Street residence resulting in the seizure of over 200 pairs of alleged counterfeit Nike, Air Jordan and other brand shoes and over 200 pieces of counterfeit Polo, Ed Hardy, Coogi and other brand clothing.  Arrested at the residence was 34 year old Kamani C. Rush aka “Shoeman”. Rush was charged with 5 counts of possession of counterfeit goods, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Counterfeit merchandise, more commonly known as “bootlegs”, is usually very poor quality merchandise sold at a fraction of the cost of the true product.  Venders of counterfeit goods often misrepresent the fake merchandise as factory seconds or factory overages.  Major name brand manufactures only allow authorized distributors, usually reputable retail establishments, to display and market their merchandise and usually do not wholesale their product on the internet.  Counterfeit or “bootleg” merchandise is commonly sold by the people involved in the criminal enterprise online, at flea markets, in unauthorized clothing stores, convenience stores and from vehicles.  Counterfeit merchandise is usually very poor quality merchandise sold at a fraction of the cost of the true product.  After conviction on the criminal counterfeit charges, violators often face civil law suit for monetary damages by the companies whose trademarks were infringed upon.