An Inver Grove Heights man was sentenced to more than three years in federal prison for selling counterfeit professional and college sports jerseys he bought from China.
U.S. District Court Judge Patrick Schiltz sentenced Brian Todd Gore, 46, on Wednesday. Gore pleaded guilty in December to conspiracy to traffic in counterfeit goods.
Gore admitted that he ordered the counterfeit jerseys from suppliers in China and sold them to buyers in Minnesota and elsewhere from November 2009 to September 2012. One of Gore's buyers owned AME Sports in Roseville and said Gore was the main supplier of fake jerseys he sold at his store, according to court documents
Authorities first seized counterfeit apparel from Gore when he attempted to sell jerseys to undercover officers in Miami during the 2010 Super Bowl. At that time, law enforcement seized 383 jerseys and shipping receipts showing packages sent from China.
In 2012, investigators in Minnesota caught Gore in possession of more than 2,000 counterfeit jerseys and hats. The total potential retail value of the counterfeit goods was at least $320,000, according to U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger's office.
Stephen Montemayor • 952-746-3282
