Feds arrest 10 suspected of pirating music, movies

Federal agents have arrested 10 people suspected of participating in a counterfeit music and movie operation, distributing tens of thousands of CDs and DVDs to sellers in Modesto, Atwater, Stockton and Sacramento.

The counterfeit materials included movies still in theaters and not yet released on DVD, said Gina Swankie, a spokeswoman for the FBI in Sacramento.

Investigators served multiple search warrants and conducted probation searches Friday in San Jose. Agents seized about 75,000 music CDs and 60,000 movie DVDs. They also found materials and equipment to duplicate, produce and distribute more than 10,000 additional digital discs.

Authorities believe the suspects conspired to duplicate and reproduce copyrighted music and movies. The men, who were initially detained, were later arrested on suspicion of trafficking in counterfeit labels, criminal copyright infringement and criminal conspiracy.

Those arrested Friday included Victor Flores Fuentes, 38; Edgar Hipatl Rodriguez, 25; Angel Gomez, 34; Ramiro Mendes, 34; Efrain Lozada Rosas, 33; Antonio Morales, 31; Enrique Aguilar, 25; Eric Ivanez, 21; and Jesus Cuevas Lopez, 24. Cornelio Rojas, 50, was arrested in Atwater on Monday.

This story was originally published March 17, 2015 at 10:09 AM with the headline "Feds arrest 10 suspected of pirating music, movies."