Florida man pleads guilty to trafficking counterfeit goods in South Dakota

RAPID CITY, S.D. – North Florida man pleaded guilty in federal court Friday to trafficking in counterfeit goods.

The guilty plea resulted from an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Nir Giist, 55, of Ormond Beach, a suburb of Daytona Beach on Florida's Atlantic coast, pleaded guilty to one count of Trafficking in Counterfeit Goods or Services. The maximum penalty for this crime is 10 years in prison and a $2 million fine.

During his guilty plea, Giist admitted that between Feb. 2010 and Aug. 2011 he intentionally sold counterfeit goods near the South Dakota towns of Rapid City, Keystone, Deadwood, Hill City and Sturgis. He sold counterfeit goods violating trademarks held by Monster Energy, Angry Birds, Hollister, The North Face and Ed Hardy.

A sentencing date was set for June 10. Giist was released on bond pending sentencing.