Wayne County man charged in unique case

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In the first of its kind prosecution in Western New York, U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announces Ryan Breen, 31, of Savannah, is charged with using the Internet to traffic in counterfeit goods.

Breen faces up to 10 years in prison and a $2 million fine.

In related actions, federal agents executed seizure warrants upon 20 websites that sold counterfeit merchandise, including five in Western New York. The seizure warrants effectively prevent the sites from continuing to offer counterfeit merchandise bearing brand names such as Ralph Lauren, Tory Burch and Oakley.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Fauzia K. Mattingly alleges Breen was the owner and operator of a website that sold unauthorized apparel from the F/X Network Television series “Sons of Anarchy.”

The seizure of Breen’s website, and approximately 19 others selling counterfeit merchandise, is part of a nationwide effort to combat counterfeiting to keep fake goods off the streets. It also represents the first time this type of law enforcement action has been undertaken in Western New York.

Breen appeared before Federal Magistrate Judge Leslie G. Foschio and was released on his own recognizance. Breen is due back in court Aug. 1.