Brian Bethman, of Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania, was charged by indictment, filed on May 15, 2014, smuggling goods into the United States, trafficking in counterfeit labels, and criminal copyright infringement, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.
According to the indictment, between April 2010 and April 2011, Bethman smuggled in more than 6,000 audiovisual copies of movies and television shows that were protected by copyright. The television shows included, but were not limited to, House, Criminal Minds, NCIS, Weeds, The Office, and Royal Pains; the movies included, but were not limited to, Justfied, The Pacific, Dead Like Me, and Bambi. Bethman is charged with seven counts of smuggling goods into the United States, one count of trafficking in counterfeit labels, and one count of criminal copyright infringement.
If convicted the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 30 years in prison.
The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Karen A. Fox.
An Indictment or Information is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
