According to an announcement by the U.S. Attorney's Office, a Turkish man has entered a guilty plea for trafficking counterfeit goods through kiosks at a local mall. Emre Teski, 25, acknowledged his involvement in selling fake merchandise, including knockoff soccer jerseys and replica sneaker slippers bearing unlawfully used sports and fashion trademarks.
Teski, currently in the U.S. under an employment authorization while his appeal against a removal order is pending, was found operating two kiosks at the Mall at Fairfield Commons in Beavercreek. Court documents, quoted by the U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Ohio, show that one kiosk sold soccer jerseys and hats from teams such as FC Barcelona and Arsenal, while the other featured oversized slippers styled like famous Nike and Air Jordan sneakers. An undercover investigator purchased counterfeit Nike slippers, which illegally bore the Nike Swoosh, from Teski.
The extent of the counterfeit sales was substantial, with federal agents seizing goods valued at nearly $150,000. Teski was arrested in March 2025, facing charges for an offense that potentially carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison. The plea was entered on Thursday before Senior U.S. District Judge Walter H. Rice.
Acting United States Attorney Kelly A. Norris, along with Jared Murphey, who is the Acting Special Agent in Charge for ICE's Homeland Security Investigations Detroit, were responsible for the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Saunders is the representative for the United States in this case. Trafficking in counterfeit goods not only harms the brands being copied but also deceives consumers and undercuts legitimate businesses operating within the law.
