Three people have been arrested and charged with one count each of organized scheme to defraud and one count of counterfeiting body armor, said agents of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Orlando Regional Operations Center.
Scott Anderson, 57, Ocoee, the owner of Alpha Sports, is believed to have sold counterfeit body armor at gun shows across Florida. Anderson is a former Ocoee City commissioner.
Agents also believe Scott Williams, 51, Ocoee, and Arami Rodriguez, 36, Ocoee, Fla., worked for Anderson and assisted in the manufacturing and selling of the fake body armor.
FDLE began their investigation in August 2013, when Point Black Enterprises, Inc., received a customer complaint. The customer indicated that he purchased Point Blank body armor at a gun show in West Palm Beach 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, FDLE said.
“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.
On September 11, 2013, FDLE executed a search warrant at Alpha Sports at 10 South Cumberland Avenue in Ocoee, 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.
“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.
