Watch CBS News

Plymouth Man Pleads Guilty To Selling Counterfeit Phones Online

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A 39-year-old Plymouth man pleaded guilty Tuesday to selling counterfeit and refurbished cell phones online, saying they were brand new.

Mario Samson pleaded guilty to one count of trafficking in counterfeit goods, the Department of Justice said.

He entered his guilty plea before district court Judge Ann D. Montgomery. In the agreement, Samson admitted to selling phones and cell phone accessories that bore counterfeit logos identical to those of multiple phone manufactures. Moreover, he said he used the counterfeit logos to deceive potential buyers.

He also admitted to selling those items through online retailers like Amazon and eBay.

The Justice Department said he made a total of 10,711 transactions with an estimated combined value of between $400,000 - $1 million.

Samson faces a potential sentence of 10 years in prison. Montgomery will sentence Samson at a date, which has yet to be determined.

Samson was charged in June.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.