Published: June 16, 2009 10:39 am      

Clinton businessman to appear in federal court Wednesday

Owner of Bama & Heather charged with trafficking counterfeit goods

CLINTON — A Clinton businessman will appear in federal court Wednesday in connection with federal charges alleging he trafficked counterfeit goods.

Charles “Bama” Sampson-Snyder faces a preliminary examination and bond hearing, after federal authorities raided his business, Bama’s, or Bama & Heather Clothing, on Friday. According to court documents, Friday’s raid concluded an ongoing investigation that lasted almost two years.

On July 23, 2007, an ICE Special Agent went to Bama’s business to examine suspected counterfeit Coach handbags, court documents say. The agent alleged that Sampson-Snyder retrieved two Louis Vuitton wallets without proper registration cards. According to the court documents, Louis Vuitton wallets come with registration cards.

Also, Sampson-Snyder displayed one Coach wallet, and upon seeing it, the agent alleged it to be counterfeit since it was trimmed in plastic, and not leather, according to court documents.

The agent also noticed a belt allegedly bearing the Chanel logo, and shoes that allegedly featured a similar inscription that Nike Air Jordan shoes entail. Court documents state that Nike Director of Security, Dave Simpson, informed the agent he was familiar with that design, and that Nike does not manufacture that shoe.

Also, Director of Legal Administration for Chanel, Inc., Adrienne Hahn said Bama & Heather Clothing was not an authorized Chanel dealer, court documents say.

On Sept. 12, 2007, authorities executed a federal search warrant of Sampson-Snyder’s residence and Bama & Heather Clothing. According to court documents, authorities “seized numerous counterfeit items many of which were openly displayed for sale.”

On or about Jan. 18, 2008, Sampson-Snyder denied any property had been seized by those search warrants, according to court documents.

Twice during the month of May 2009, customers complained about merchandise purchased at Bama & Heather Clothing was counterfeit, court documents state. On June 5, law enforcement personnel staged a controlled purchase of suspected counterfeit goods — two pairs of Nike shoes and Baby Phat jewelry.

According to court documents, representatives from Nike, Chanel and Gucci examined photographs of material bought by law enforcement personnel and customers, and determined the merchandise was counterfeit.

Sampson-Snyder will appear in court at 2 p.m., Wednesday, at the federal courthouse in Davenport.