ORLANDO, Fla. – The Florida Department of Law Enforcement Orlando Regional Operations Center arrested three people each on one count of organized scheme to defraud and one count of counterfeiting body armor.
Investigators allege that the owner of Alpha Inc., Scott Anderson, 57, Ocoee, Fla., sold counterfeit body armor at gun shows across Florida. Agents believe Scott Williams, 51, Ocoee, Fla., and Arami Rodriguez, 36, Ocoee, Fla., worked for Anderson and assisted in the manufacturing and selling of the fake body armor.
"These suspects sold dangerous products to unsuspecting consumers raking in large profits for themselves," said FDLE Orlando Regional Operations Center Special Agent in Charge Danny Banks.
The investigation began in August 2013 when Point Blank Enterprises, Inc. received a customer complaint. The customer indicated that he purchased Point Blank body armor at a gun show in West Palm Beach, Fla. and thought the product was counterfeit. Point Blank Enterprises, Inc. determined the armor was fake and contacted FDLE.
Ballistic tests conducted on the bogus product determined it provided no ballistic protection.
On September 11, 2013, FDLE executed a search warrant at Alpha, Inc., 10 S. Cumberland Ave., Ocoee, Fla., and located counterfeit body armor from Point Blank, PACA (Protective Apparel Corporation of America), ABA (American Body Armor), Gall's, First Choice, and OM Tactical.
Agents also located additional body armor labeled as Full Dragon Armor, Coloma, Mich., which was determined to be a fictitious company. Evidence recovered during the search found the Full Dragon body armor to be substandard.
Anderson and Williams were booked into the Orange County Jail each on a $5,250 bond. Rodriguez will be held on a $10,250 bond but is currently in the custody of the US Marshals Service on unrelated federal charges.
The case is being prosecuted by the Office of Statewide Prosecution.
Notice to Consumers
If you believe you may have purchased counterfeit body armor at a gun show in Florida, please contact the body armor manufacturer.
Point Blank Enterprises Inc. (PACA, Paraclete, Protective Products) – 800-413-5155 or www.pointblankenterprises.com
OMTactical – 888-781-6891 or www.omtactical.com
Safariland (ABA, Second Chance, Protech Tactical) – 800-347-1200 or www.safariland.com
Diamondback Tactical (First Choice Armor) – 800-882-7667 or www.diamondbacktactical.com
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: FDLE busts counterfeit body armor ring