Former Police Officer Among Suspects In Sale Of Counterfeit Broncos Gear
BRIGHTON, Colo. (CBS4)- A former lieutenant with the Colorado Springs Police Department is among four suspects charged with selling counterfeit Denver Broncos gear.
David Henrichsen turned himself into to authorities at the Douglas County Justice Center in Castle Rock. He is among four charged with racketeering, money laundering and conspiracy in the sales of counterfeit Broncos gear at the Mile High Flea Market.
The charges allege that Henrichsen, 51, Marc Alan Misko, 62, Mitchell Jay Misko, 62, and Glenn Ford, 63, operated a business selling counterfeit merchandise at the market in Commerce City from Nov. 14, 2006 to Jan. 10, 2015.
Adams County District Attorney Dave Young claims the merchandise was falsely marked and identified as official merchandise for the Denver Broncos and other Denver professional and college teams as well as teams based in other cities around the country.
"These significant criminal charges are recognition of the successful criminal investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations special agents," said David A. Thompson, special agent in charge of HSI in Denver, in a statement. "This investigation uncovered hundreds of thousands of dollars in money wired to China to finance these counterfeit products and more than 20 shell companies furthering this illegal activity. Not only do these counterfeiting organizations produce inferior merchandise, which is sometimes dangerous, these counterfeits also hurt legitimate businesses in the United States, which can hinder job growth and support criminal organizations around the world."
The Department of Homeland Security agents seized $68,000 in counterfeit NFL merchandise from the Miskos' booth at the flea market on Jan. 10, 2015.
The charges allege that the operation purchased more than $868,000 in counterfeit merchandise from China beginning in 2006 to late 2014 for sale.
The four suspects have been charged with operating a criminal enterprise of trademark counterfeiting in violation of the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act.
