Johnston Man with Warehouse of Fake Sports Good is Arrested

A 46-year-old Johnston man has been charged with felonies after he was caught selling counterfeit sports memorabilia at show at a Massachusetts Holiday Inn.

Richard Rufo, of Johnston, was arrested by Mansfield police after they responded to the hotel and found he was in possession of about $5,000 worth of fake goods at the memorabilia show.

Police later discovered that he had much more phony goods in a warehouse in Smithfield where police said they seized a variety of items.

The Rhode Island State Police assisted Mansfield police in the execution of a search warrant at the Smithfield warehouse.

According to police, Rufo came to the attention of police after they got a tip from a private detective who was investigating intellectual property crimes.

The PI reportedly bought a shirt with a New England Patriots logo and police said it was counterfeit.

For selling items at the show in Mansfield, Rufo has been charged with distribution of counterfeit merchandise.

Police also found oxycodone and suboxone pills in a bag in Rufo’s van along with an ounce-and-a-half of marijuana.

Additional charges in connection with the Smithfield warehouse could be coming.

In the meantime, Rufo is free after his arraignment in Attleboro District Court where he pleaded innocent to charges of hawking phony goods and drug possession.