News Releases and Statements

U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark sentenced Tabitha Nicole Rodgers, 43, and her husband, Clint Travis Rodgers, 49, in separate appearances. Tabitha Rodgers was sentenced to four years in federal prison without parole. Clint Rodgers was sentenced to one year in federal prison without parole.

The National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center) announced the seizure of approximately 180,000 counterfeit sports-related items, worth an estimated $22.7 million during a joint press conference with the National Football League (NFL).

As the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles gear up for the big game, HSI and its partners are in the final stages of implementing plans to ensure Super Bowl LVII is a safe and secure event. For HSI Arizona, these preparations started over a year ago, when the office first began working alongside its government partners and the NFL to support operations and counterfeit merchandise investigations.

The National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center) announced a new partnership between Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Pharmaceutical Security Institute (PSI) to combat illicit pharmaceutical trade and protect patients from the health and safety threats posed by counterfeit medications, Dec. 19.

Special agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore Field Office seized 23 separate internet domains Friday for allegedly live streaming World Cup matches, an infringement of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) copyrights. Individuals visiting the sites will now see a message that the site has been seized by the federal government and be redirected to another site for additional information.

The investigation into the seizures began in September 2022, when HSI received information from a representative of FIFA identifying several sites being used to distribute copyright infringing content, specifically World Cup games, without FIFA’s authorization.

For more than two decades, the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center), working collaboratively with industry and brand owners, has led the effort in the government's response to prevent intellectual property theft, and has played a significant role policing the sale and distribution of counterfeit goods on websites, social media, and eCommerce marketplaces.

Federal, state, and local law enforcement partners from across the United States, including HSI, executed a nationwide, coordinated takedown Nov. 2 of leaders and associates of a national network of thieves, dealers, and processors for their roles in conspiracies involving stolen catalytic converters sold to a metal refinery for tens of millions of dollars. Arrests, searches, and seizures took place in California, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Virginia, and Wyoming. In total, 21 individuals in five states have been arrested and/or charged for their roles in the conspiracy.

MLB has a comprehensive anti-counterfeiting program, including official MLB holograms affixed to all officially licensed MLB products to protect fans looking to purchase genuine MLB merchandise. Counterfeiters target major events, such as the World Series, where fans are eager to take home memorable keepsakes.

A North Shores resident was sentenced to prison for selling counterfeit baseball cards, Oct. 18. Chief U.S. District Judge Hala Y. Jarbou sentenced Bryan Kennert, 57, to 30 months in prison for selling $43,354.94 of antique baseball that he falsely represented as original and unopened card packs.

HSI San Diego is cautioning fans to beware of individuals and businesses selling counterfeit merchandise or tickets during 2022 MLB NLCS in San Diego. The city of San Diego is host to games one and two of the series and would host a potential game six or seven if they are needed.

HSI Houston and the HPD are cautioning fans to beware of individuals and businesses selling counterfeit merchandise or tickets during 2022 MLB ALCS games in Houston. The city of Houston is scheduled to host games one and two of the series beginning today and would host a potential game six or seven if they are needed.

HSI’s wildlife trafficking initiative focuses on investigations regarding the illegal trade of protected, endangered, and non-native species. The Endangered Species Act of 1973 makes it unlawful for any person subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to import or export certain species into or from the United States or to possess, sell, deliver, carry, transport, or ship any species in interstate or foreign commerce.

The operation, which was conducted during the week leading up a Premier League preseason soccer match July 20 at NRG Park, is part of a nationwide effort called “Operation Team Player”. The National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center) and the Premier League aided during the operation.

For the 14th year in a row, the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center) joined 94 Interpol member countries in a coordinated crackdown on illicit online pharmacies dubbed “Operation Pangea XV,” June 23-30. The operation netted more than 7,800 seizures of illicit and falsified medicines, totaling more than three million individual units at $11 million.

Counterfeiters routinely target major sporting venues and other entertainment events such as the Premier League soccer match to illegally sell counterfeit apparel, merchandise, and tickets.

Large sporting events, such as the Stanley Cup Playoffs, are prime targets for bad actors who are extremely savvy and often set up fake websites or e-commerce marketplaces with the sole intent of scamming sports fans.

Federal authorities crack down on the illegal importation and sale of counterfeit sports apparel and entertainment products through Operation Team Player, a year-round effort developed by the IPR Center.

The IPR Center, working collaboratively with its public and private sector partners, stands at the forefront of the United States government's response to combatting global intellectual property theft and enforcing intellectual property rights violations.

The IPR Center, in conjunction with Michigan State University’s A-CAPP Center, hosted a discussion, April 26, with Sean Williams, Co-Founder of Detroit -vs- Everybody to discuss brand protection to help creatives protect their business against IP theft in support of World Intellectual Property Day 2022.

The IPR Center and the RIAA will implement an aggressive multi-layered strategy to strengthen the digital ecosystem, conduct joint training events, educate consumers on the dangers of illegal streaming, enforce the nation’s intellectual property rights laws, and dismantle large-scale online criminal enterprises.

ICE's HSI New Orleans seized 384 counterfeit items valued at an estimated $375,925, during an IPR operation April 1-4.

A federal grand jury returned the two-count indictment against Bok Nyo Kim, 72, a legal permanent resident and Henry Yuseok Kim, 45, both citizens of South Korea residing in Laredo.

Today, the IPR Center, the NFL, CBP, the Los Angeles Sheriff Department and ICE HSI announced that more than 267, 511 counterfeit sports-related items, worth an estimated $97.8 million, were seized during Operation Team Player.

By embedding MPA and ACE personnel to the team at the IPR Center in Washington D.C. and other resources to the expanded framework, the partnering organizations are able to further expand their collective content protection efforts.