Lindale, TX — A 56-year-old business owner has been jailed on a trademark counterfeiting charge after authorities allegedly seized dozens of counterfeit luxury-brand items from his resale business.
Terry Lee Sanders, of Hideaway, was being held Thursday in the Smith County Jail on a $20,000 bond. He is charged with trademark counterfeiting involving property valued at $2,500 or more but less than $30,000.
According to court records, the investigation began in March after Lindale police received a complaint from a private investigator working for a trademark investigation firm. The investigator allegedly purchased a counterfeit Louis Vuitton handbag from Sanders and provided police with video and an affidavit documenting the transaction.
Police later obtained a search warrant for Sanders’ business, New Beginnings Resale. According to the affidavit, investigators seized 87 alleged counterfeit items with an estimated retail value of $14,600.
The merchandise allegedly carried counterfeit trademarks from Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel, Jimmy Choo, Rolex and Saint Laurent.
Sanders is charged with a state jail felony.
The charge is an accusation, and Sanders is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.