Media

Sheriff’s Sting Nets Five Arrests for Pirating Movies and Music Albums

Release Date: July 1, 2004

An effort by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office to break up criminal networks producing, selling and renting counterfeit movies and music albums continued this week with the arrest of five people.

“We are sending a clear message to people who are involved in this type of illegal activity. Our efforts to address this growing problem are on-going,” said Shelby County Sheriff Mark H. Luttrell, Jr.

Three “stings” were conducted by the Sheriff’s Office ALERT Team this week. The ALERT Team (Area Law Enforcement Retail Team) is a collaborative between the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and retail stores to combat shoplifting, stolen merchandise, identity fraud and other crimes.

On Tuesday, June 29, 2004, investigators confiscated 98 music CDs, 56 DVDs and 47 VHS tapes from the Handy Mart convenience store at 3909 Elliston near Interstate 240 at Getwell. All of the programs had been illegally recorded or duplicated.

The manager of the store, Omer Alguhem, 27, and a clerk, Muad Mana, 19, were both charged with Criminal Simulation Over $1,000 which is a felony.

Later that same day, detectives went to the Y and M Food Mart at 2885 Park Avenue where 42 DVD movies and 30 music CDs were found. Two coin-operated gaming machines used for illegal gambling were confiscated from the business.

Maria Alasadi, 28, a clerk at the store, was arrested and charged with Criminal Simulation and Possession of a Gambling Device.

On Wednesday, June 30, 2004, detectives raided a third business in Millington. Almost 1500 pirated music CDs were recovered at the Just Beepers store at 5041 Navy Road. Copies of several movies currently running in area theaters were discovered. Those films have not yet been released on home video. Detectives say an elaborate pirating operation was going on at the Millington store. All of the duplication machines were seized.

The owner of the store, Keenan Moore, 39 and a clerk, Michael Hickey, 44 were taken into custody. Both were charged with Criminal Simulation. Investigators say Hickey has been arrested and charged before with Criminal Simulation.

So far this year, 34 people have been arrested through the Sheriff’s Office ALERT team initiative. More than a quarter of a million dollars in stolen property has been recovered and returned to area stores. Pirated movies and CDs worth more than $100,000 have been confiscated by detectives.

Keenan Moore	Maria Alasadi
Muad Mana	Omer Alguhem
Michael Hickey

 

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