SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) A southern Missouri woman has pleaded guilty to selling counterfeit Louis Vuitton items to customers throughout the country.
Federal prosecutors say 33-year-old Tonya Virtue, of Mountain Grove, pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of smuggling goods into the United States in a scheme that netted $50,000. She sold the items through her online store, Soul Sisters.
Prosecutors say Virtue bought fabric and material with counterfeit Louis Vuitton trademarks from a Chinese manufacturer and used the material to make handbags and purses. She told customers the items were authentic Louis Vuitton merchandise.
Virtue must pay $50,000 to the government.
Her attorney, Dee Wampler, told The Springfield News-Leader that Virtue sewed fringe and Bible verses onto the handbags. He says she has no prior criminal record and is hoping for leniency.
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