April 25 is the new date for Jonathan A. Kirschner’s sentencing hearing.
U.S. District Court Judge Robert B. Kugler had been scheduled to sentence Kirschner on February 5 for his admitted crimes of falsely impersonating an agent of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and of unlawfully importing counterfeit coins and bars into the United States.
However, in late January the U.S. Attorney prosecuting the case created a new class of victims, which includes a dozen sovereign Mints, private mints, and grading services. Members of the new victim’s class were invited to file impact statements and claim damages to their brands, including violations of their trademarks and copyrights, caused by counterfeits of their coins, precious metals bars, and grading service holders Kirschner illegally imported into the United States.
The new sentencing hearing date reflects both the 14-day response period for the new class of victims and delays in the court calendar caused by the recent federal government shutdown during December and January.
The charge of impersonating a federal officer carries a maximum potential penalty of three years in prison and the charge of unlawful importation carries a maximum potential penalty of 15 years in prison.
Counterfeit items seized from Kirschner’s home and packages addressed to him containing counterfeits seized by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Service, had they been genuine, would have a current market value of more than $46 million.
Collectors and dealers wishing to voice their opinions regarding an appropriate sentence for Kirschner, may write a letter to Judge Robert B. Kugler, U.S. District Court, Mitchell H. Cohen Building & U.S. Courthouse, 4th & Cooper Streets, PO Box 889, Camden, NJ 08101-0889. Reference the case and number at the beginning of the letter: U.S. v. JONATHAN A. KIRSCHNER, DOCKET NO. 18-00360-001.
Courtesy copies of letters sent to the Judge Kugler should also be sent to Joshua R. MacAvoy, Senior United States Probation Officer, 50 Walnut St., Room 1001 Newark, NJ 07102.
ACEF’s Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force assisted Homeland Security Investigations in its investigation of Kirschner and provided experts to identify the counterfeits seized by HSI and the Customs and Border Protection Service.