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Video shop manager gets probation sentence
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Posted on Dec 03 2008
The federal court yesterday imposed a three-year probation sentence on the manager of a video shop that was raided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, during which thousands of pirated DVDs and VHS tapes were reportedly seized.
U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Alex R. Munson also directed defendant Il Cho to complete 100 hours of community service.
Munson said all property seized in connection with the case shall be forfeited to the U.S. government.
Munson ordered Cho to immediately pay a $100 court assessment fee.
The judge directed Cho to make arrangements with the U.S. Probation Office if he wants to accompany his ailing mother to Korea.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric O’Malley had recommended a one-year probation and one-year supervised release sentence.
O’Malley said Cho accepted responsibility for his actions at the early stage of the case.
Defense attorney Bruce Berline concurred with O’Malley and moved that his client be sentenced to probation.
Cho and his employee, Min Jo, were arrested a few weeks after the FBI raided Seoul Video Store in Chalan Kanoa on March 26, 2008.
The two were charged with one count of conspiracy, two counts of copyright infringement, and three counts of trafficking in counterfeit labels.
Last Aug. 28, Cho pleaded guilty to one count of trafficking in counterfeit labels. The remaining charges against him were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.
An FBI agent said that after the arrest, Cho and Jo admitted that they purchased DVDs from Korea and were copying them onto VHS tapes for sale and rent to customers.
