Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Federal Agents swarmed the Vision Tech Components Business on 110th Avenue in Pinellas County on Tuesday.

Federal Agents swarmed the Vision Tech Components Business on 110th Avenue in Pinellas County on Tuesday.

Agents from NCIS, Inspector General's Office, The U.S. Department of Transportation, and other federal agencies could be seen going in and out of the Electronics Business.

The U.S. Department of Justice unsealed a 10 count indictment charging 42-year-old Shannon Wren and 38-year-old Stephanie McCloskey with conspiracy, trafficking counterfeit goods and mail fraud.

The two were arrested for importing counterfeit integrated circuits from China and Hong Kong and allegedly selling them to the U.S. Navy and Defense Contractors.

Here's a portion of the indictment released by the U.S. Department of Justice:

"The devices are used in a variety of applications including consumer electronics, transportation, medical, spacecraft, and military. Counterfeit integrated circuits can result in product or system failure or malfunction, and can result in costly system repairs, property damage, and serious bodily injury, including death. Such counterfeits also raise national security concerns because the history of the device is unknown, including who has handled it and what has been done to it."

"Product counterfeiting, particularly of the sophisticated kind of equipment used by our armed forces, puts lives and property at risk," said U.S. Attorney Machen. "This case shows our determination to work in coordination with our law enforcement partners and the private sector to aggressively prosecute those who traffic in counterfeit parts."

Workers at neighboring businesses watched as luxury items were taken away.

"I saw a lot of cars roll up, a lot of flat bed trucks, a lot of tow trucks, " said Joey Lenz who works nearby," and a lot of cars, motorcycles, and a motor home all being removed."

More than a dozen motorcycles and more than 20 cars were seized from three locations, including Wren's Treasure Island home.

Someone from inside the business covered his head as he was led away by agents.

According to the indictment, Wren and McCloskey generated more than $15 million in gross receipts in two years.

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