Homeland Security Cracks Down on Unlicensed Sports Jersey Importer: Cops

PLAINFIELD, IL — A Plainfield man landed in hot water when the Department of Homeland Security intercepted a shipment of unlicensed sports jerseys sent from China, police said.

Homeland Security ended up passing the case off to the Will County Sheriff’s Department. County detectives obtained a search warrant for the West Knollwood Drive home of Joseph Spinasanta and raided his place Thursday, police said. Spinasanta, 50, was taken into custody and charged in connection with allegedly receiving and selling counterfeit sports paraphernalia.

Homeland Security first contacted the sheriff’s department about Spinasanta in late January, police said, and reported that he was receiving counterfeit merchandise through the mail.

Homeland Security reportedly seized one shipment of a dozen jerseys —six of which were those of National Football League teams, four of National Hockey League teams and two of Major League Baseball teams.

Spinasanta was scheduled to appear in court on the felony charge Friday afternoon.