Sunday, June 29, 2008
$30,000 in CDs seized at Cypress swap meet
7 arrested after investigation of potential piracy.
By ERIC NEFF
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Comments 37| Recommend 3

CYPRESS A joint effort between the Cypress Police Department and the Recording Industry Association of America investigators resulted in the arrest of seven people on suspicion of selling pirated CDs.

Officials from both agencies approached several booths at the Cypress Swap Meet, held at Cypress College, at 9 a.m. Sunday.


More than 2,000 CDs worth an estimated $30,000 were confiscated, according to a news release.

Investigators from the Recording Industry Association of America approached Cypress Police about potential fraud at the swap meet after receiving complaints several weeks ago. Sgt. Brian Walquist said these industry investigators are often former police officers and complete much of the preparation work necessary for the arrests.

Six people face felony piracy charges because the number of CDs totaled more than 100: Raul Alex Botello, 23; Delfino Castillero, 43; Gonzalo Ocampo, 42; Anna Vallejo, 23; Mariza Aceves, 37; and George Perez, 22. Raul Hernandez Botello, 44, faces a misdemeanor charge because he was dealing with less than 100 CDs and does not have a prior charge. Perez has a $15,000 outstanding warrant on a piracy charge.

Botello posted bail after being booked into Cypress Jail; all others were booked into Cypress Jail and transported to Orange County Jail.

Walquist said the way the arrests were conducted shows that this had been going on for a while at the swap meet.

"My guess is, in the future, they will find other people doing the same thing," he said.

Contact the writer: 714-704-3782 or eneff@ocregister.com

Santuary state illegals ?
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