Columbia couple sentenced for selling counterfeit Disney movies on eBay
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
A Columbia couple was sentenced in federal court on Wednesday for a scheme to smuggle counterfeit Disney DVDs into the United States and sell them on eBay.
Tabitha Nicole Rodgers, 43, and her husband, Clint Travis Rodgers, 49, were sentenced in separate appearances, a press release stated. Tabitha Rodgers was sentenced to four years in federal prison without parole. Clint Rodgers was sentenced to one year in federal prison without parole.
The court also ordered Tabitha Rodgers to pay $26,573 in restitution for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits she was not entitled to receive. The court ordered Clint Rodgers to pay a $10,000 fine.
On Oct. 12, 2021, Tabitha Rodgers pleaded guilty to one felony count of criminal copyright infringement for profit. Clint Rodgers pleaded guilty the same day to a misdemeanor count of criminal infringement of a copyright.
In July 2014, Homeland Security Investigations received indicating that Clint Rodgers had received more than 443 shipments of counterfeit DVDs from companies in Hong Kong known to sell and export counterfeit goods, the press release stated. HSI agents identified two shipments that had been seized prior to delivery to the Rodgers’ home in Columbia. One shipment contained 200 counterfeit copies of “Beauty and the Beast” and another shipment contained 260 copies of “Aladdin.”
On Feb. 4, 2015, Customs and Border Protection agents seized a parcel addressed to Clint Rodgers that contained 200 counterfeit Disney DVDs.
Federal agents purchased several counterfeit Disney DVDs from the Rodgers on eBay in February and March 2015, the release stated. On Aug. 25, 2015, HSI agents executed a search warrant at the Rodgers’ residence. Agents found a lot of counterfeit Disney DVDs.
Tabitha Rodgers admitted she conducted the day-to-day operation of the business. She corresponded via email with the counterfeit DVD supplier in Hong Kong and placed orders for the DVDs, as well as packaged and sent them, according to the release.
