Glendale Heights woman pleads not guilty to possession of counterfeit items charges

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A woman indicted by a DuPage County grand jury for allegedly fencing hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of counterfeit high-end purses, wallets, handbags and other commodities has entered a plea of not guilty to four counts of felony possession of counterfeit items with intent to sell.

Angelina Luy, 40, of the 700 block of Leslie Lane, was arrested Nov. 1 and charged following the execution of a search warrant by federal and local authorities. She appeared in bond court the following day where bond was set at $40,000.

On Nov. 9, following a proof of funds hearing at which Luy had to show that any money used for bond was not illegally obtained, Luy posted $4,000, the necessary 10%, and was released from custody. On Nov. 11, a DuPage County grand jury indicted Luy.

On Oct. 24, United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at O’Hare International Airport took possession of two inbound parcels from Cambodia, allegedly addressed to Luy at her residence in Glendale Heights. The declared value of the parcels was $374. CBP officers searched the parcels and allegedly found various belts, handbags, purses, wallets and apparel bearing trademarks registered to Chanel, Christian Dior, Fendi, Gucci, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Moschino and Versace, according to the release.

The goods were determined to be counterfeit and had an approximate retail value of $140,176. On Nov. 1, United States Homeland Security Investigations obtained an anticipatory search warrant for the two parcels from Cambodia allegedly addressed to the defendant. The search warrant, which authorized a search of any person taking control of the parcels as well as their vehicle or premises where the parcels were located, was executed at approximately 6:30 p.m., after the parcels were allegedly brought inside Luy’s residence, the release stated.

Following execution of the search warrant, authorities allegedly found hundreds of counterfeit items bearing trademarks registered to Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Piaget and Versace as well as more than $96,000 in cash. Luy was arrested at this time. It is alleged that Luy has been receiving and selling counterfeit merchandise since January 2021, and that the retail value of the merchandise is more than $500,000, according to the release.

“According to the United States Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection, in 2020, there were more than 26,500 seizures of counterfeit goods with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price totaling approximately $1.3 billion,” DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said in the release. “That $1.3 billion translates to lost profits for United States companies, the loss of United States jobs and ultimately higher prices to the consumer for inferior products. I commend the United States Customs and Border Protection and the United States Homeland Security Investigations as well as the Glendale Heights Police Department for their collaborative efforts that allowed us to put an end to Ms. Luy’s alleged scheme.”

Luy’s next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 12 for status.