Ozark woman pleads guilty to selling counterfeit Louis Vuitton products

An Ozark woman has pleaded guilty to her role in a counterfeit Louis Vuitton operation.

Carissa Bedford, 46, entered a guilty plea on May 31 to charges of trafficking in counterfeit goods, according to a news release from the office of Teresa Moore, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Missouri.

Bedford admitted that her Jovee LLC online wholesale business sold counterfeit Louis Vuitton bracelets, hair ties and other products from April to December 2022. Jovee, which operated out of Bedford’s residence, sold to boutique stores.

The release indicates Bedford received $70,770 in criminal proceeds from the scheme.

The counterfeit consumer goods and apparel typically were manufactured in Hong Kong and China and shipped to the United States for distribution. Bedford admitted that she ordered 200 Louis Vuitton-branded, counterfeit bracelets from Hong Kong in April 2022. She also admitted to selling three counterfeit hair ties to an individual who was working undercover in association with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Another individual who operated Jovee is not identified in court documents, according to the release. A Missouri secretary of state filing for Jovee LLC lists Becky Worthy, of Springfield, as registered agent and Bedford as organizer. OzarksFirst.com reported in December that Rebecca Worthy pleaded guilty to selling counterfeit Louis Vuitton merchandise.

Bedford is subject to a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison without parole under federal statutes, according to the release. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled following a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation office.