Thousands of counterfeit items found in CT home. Woman admits to selling clothes, handbags, jewelry.

A New Britain woman has admitted to participating in a conspiracy to import and sell counterfeit goods.

Melissa Cruz, 37, of New Britain, pleaded guilty Monday before U.S. District Judge Vernon D. Oliver in Hartford to conspiracy to willfully infringe a copyright, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut.

Court records show that, between 2021 and 2024, Cruz allegedly conspired with other individuals to sell counterfeit clothes, designer handbags and jewelry to customers across the U.S., some of which she allegedly imported from outside the U.S.

According to court records, she reportedly used Facebook to “conduct live shows during which she showcased, advertised, and sold the counterfeit goods.”

In total, investigators allege that Cruz and her “co-conspirators” made more than $4 million for the merchandise using peer-to-peer payment services such as CashApp, Paypal and Venmo, court records show.

“Between March 2022 and March 2023, U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized multiple international parcels containing dozens of counterfeit handbags from Thailand, China and Hong Kong that were addressed to Cruz’s residence in New Britain,” according to court records.

Law enforcement conducted a court-authorized search of Cruz’s residence and allegedly seized nearly 2,000 units of counterfeit goods on Dec. 19, 2024, court records show.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Cruz is currently released on her own recognizance pending sentencing, which is scheduled for March 12, 2025. She faces a maximum of one year in prison.

https://www.courant.com/2025/12/09/ct-woman-admits-to-importing-and-selling-counterfeit-clothes-handbags-and-jewelry-across-u-s/