BUFFALO, N.Y.-- U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Alcides Marcelino, a/k/a "Amigo" was arraigned before United States Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy after an indictment was unsealed charging him with 3 counts of Possession and Sale of Counterfeit Postage Stamps. The charge carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 5 years and a fine of $250,000, or both.
The indictment alleges Marcelino sold counterfeit Lady Liberty and U.S. Flag forever postage stamps on multiple occasions between early Summer 2010 and July 19, 2011. The investigation began when the main postal facility in Buffalo discovered multiple letters with the counterfeit stamps affixed. Further investigation revealed the stamps were allegedly being sold at several small, retail grocery locations in the Buffalo area. The evidence was presented to the Grand Jury by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert C. Moscati, who will handle the trial of the case.
The investigation was conducted by the United States Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Kevin M. Niland, the Federal Bureau of Investigation under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Richard M. Frankel, and the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James C. Spero.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
