LAKEWOOD, NJ – Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on August 4, 2021, Courtney C. Michaels, 25, of Lakewood Township, was charged with Counterfeiting in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-32c. This charge is a result of an investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crime Squad and Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations.
The investigation revealed that Michaels was importing large volumes of counterfeit designer handbags, jewelry, and clothing from overseas. She advertised the goods as designer brands including Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Gucci, and sold those goods across the United States through her online retail websites. The merchandise was not authentic, and was being sold at a fraction of the cost of genuine merchandise.
On August 4, 2021, a search warrant was executed at Michaels’ residence in Lakewood Township where Detectives seized numerous counterfeit items. Michaels was processed at the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office and released on a summons pending a future court appearance.
Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crime Squad, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, and Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, for their collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation.