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Brandon Man Gets 2 Years For Hawking Designer Knockoffs

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By ELAINE SILVESTRINI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 25, 2008

TAMPA - A 30-year-old Brandon businessman who pleaded guilty to trafficking in counterfeit designer watches and purses was sentenced this morning to two years in federal prison.

Jason B. Register admitted selling nearly a million dollars worth of replica goods, copies of Louis Vuitton and Rolex as well as 14 other brands. He was ordered by U.S. District Judge Richard A. Lazzara to serve two years of probation upon leaving prison and to pay $973,981 in restitution.

In the two years since his operation was shut down by federal authorities, Register has started a business that does background checks for companies that are hiring people.

He also has married, and he and his wife are expecting their first child in November. The judge gave Register 60 days to report to prison but would not allow him to remain free until his child is born.

Lazzara did say he would not have a problem if the prison system were to grant Register a furlough for the birth.

Register told the judge that when he started selling the goods, he was not aware it was illegal, but he did know by the time his business was shut down.

"I'm truly sorry for what I've done and ask you to give me a second chance," Register said.

The sentence Lazzara imposed was below the sentence recommended by federal guidelines, which call for 37 to 46 months in federal prison.

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