Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and South Toms River Police Chief William Kosh announced that on August 23, 2022, Rasheem Paige, 47, of South Toms River, was charged with Counterfeiting in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-32c, as well as two counts of Being a Certain Person Not to Possess a Weapon in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-7b(1) and N.J.S.A. 2C:39-7a.
The charges are a result of an investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crime Squad, Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations and the South Toms River Police Department. Investigation revealed that while operating a storefront located on Dover Road in South Toms River, Paige was selling counterfeit goods purporting to be brands from Louis Vuitton, Versace, Nike, Polo, Gucci, North Face, Fendi, and Coach.
On August 23, 2022, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crime Squad, Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations, and South Toms River Police Department, executed a court- authorized search warrant at the business location in South Toms River. As a result, Detectives seized over 600 counterfeit items, a pellet handgun, and a hyper speed folding knife. Paige was arrested at the business location, and served with the charges via summons pending an upcoming first appearance in Ocean County Superior Court.
Prosecutor Billhimer and Chief Kosh commend the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crime Squad, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations, and South Toms River Police Department, for their combined and collective assistance in connection with this investigation.
The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).