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Crime News Metro/State

2 charged with mass-producing fake sports merchandise at Des Plaines factory

June Lee and Hyung Kim were charged after authorities recovered $2.5 million worth of products in a search of the factory.

By  Emmanuel Camarillo
   
SHARE 2 charged with mass-producing fake sports merchandise at Des Plaines factory
Two men are charged with producing fake products in Des Plaines

Police said they confiscated thousands of counterfeit products Feb. 11, 2020, in a search at a factory at 1229 Rand Rd. in Des Plaines.

Wheeling police

Two men are accused of mass producing thousands of counterfeit sports merchandise out of a factory in northwest suburban Des Plaines.

June Lee, 54, and 63-year-old Hyung Kim are each charged with one felony count of violating the counterfeit trademark act, according to a statement from Wheeling police.

Authorities initially suspected a factory in Wheeling was producing fake sports apparel but their investigation led them to a factory at 1229 Rand Rd. in Des Plaines, police said.

June Lee and Hyung Kim are charged with selling fake products in Des Plaines

June Lee and Hyung Kim

Wheeling police

A search of the factory Tuesday allegedly turned up three “large and highly sophisticated machines” used to create fake products, police said.

Investigators confiscated over 125,000 items worth over $2.5 million, including over 40,000 products bearing the logos of NFL, NHL, MLB and NBA teams, police said.

Lee, of Buffalo Grove, was released on a personal recognizance bond and is scheduled to appear in court March 11, according to Cook County court records.

Kim, of Gurnee, is set to appear at a bond hearing in Rolling Meadows.

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