New Mexico Couple Admits to Smuggling and Selling Counterfeit Native American Jewelry
A husband and wife from New Mexico have pleaded guilty to smuggling jewelry from Vietnam and fraudulently marketing it as authentic Native American-made goods at trade shows across the United States. Kiem Thanh Huynh, aged 60, and My Ngoc Truong, aged 61, entered their guilty pleas in a federal court in North Carolina on Monday, agreeing to forfeit over $340,000 in illicit profits.
Charges and Legal Violations
The couple faced charges of misrepresentation of Indian goods exceeding $1,000 in value, in direct violation of the federal Indian Arts and Crafts Act, alongside smuggling offenses. According to the US Attorney's Office for the Western District of North Carolina, these charges stem from their deliberate deception of buyers and exploitation of cultural heritage.
Prosecutors detailed that Huynh and Truong co-owned and operated MT Jewelry MFG Inc, based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. They falsely claimed that the jewelry sold through their company was crafted by Native American artists within their own workshop. The company's website, which targeted wholesale customers, prominently advertised specialization in creating unique and handmade southwestern jewelry and described pieces as one-of-a-kind and capturing the essence of the land of enchantment.
Details of the Counterfeit Operation
In reality, the jewelry items, including pendants, bracelets, and rings, were mass-produced in Vietnam and imported to mimic Native American styles. Prosecutors revealed that these counterfeit pieces incorporated unique stones, fish, and other wildlife products to closely resemble authentic designs. Additionally, the items bore inscriptions and other markers commonly used by Native American artists to authenticate their work, further deceiving consumers.
Investigators uncovered the scheme between December 2023 and July 2024, intercepting six shipments from Vietnam destined for MT Jewelry. These shipments contained bulk quantities of the counterfeit goods. The couple admitted to attending Wholesale Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Trade Shows, known as GLW Shows, in Western North Carolina on two occasions, where they sold the intercepted fake jewelry as genuine to unsuspecting buyers.
Legal Consequences and Cultural Impact
Huynh and Truong are currently out of custody pending their sentencing hearing. They face severe penalties, including a maximum of five years in prison for the Indian Arts and Crafts Act violation and up to twenty years for smuggling charges. Following their indictment, the couple removed their social media presence and significantly altered their company website, now stating they specialize in unique and handmade southwestern style jewelry with the added word style.
In a statement, US Attorney Russ Ferguson emphasized the broader implications of such crimes: Those who profit by passing off counterfeit goods as authentic Native American items are not just deceiving buyers, they are exploiting culture and taking income from Native American artists and their communities. He added that protecting the integrity of Native American art is crucial for preserving cultural traditions and economic opportunities, vowing continued enforcement efforts.
The case highlights ongoing issues with counterfeit goods in niche markets, underscoring the importance of consumer awareness and legal safeguards for indigenous arts.
