HOUSTON – The owner and manager of a Houston jewelry business are facing trademark counterfeit charges after investigators accused them of selling counterfeit luxury watches, jewelry and accessories, according to court records.
Court documents state Houston Jewelry Buyers owner Michael Crouch and store manager Victor Ortega are accused of “intentionally display, offers for sale, possess with intent to sell items.”
The records allege the items included “Rolex watches, Omega Watches, Richard Mille Watches, Audemars watch, Patek Philippe Watches, Louis Vuitton case and wallet, Rolex Clocks, Louis Vuitton Jewelry, Cartier bracelets and earrings” that “bore and are identified by a counterfeit mark.”
Both men have been charged with trademark counterfeiting and are currently out on bond.
KPRC 2 News reached out to Houston Jewelry Buyers by phone and through the company’s website but has not yet received a response.
According to the company’s website, Houston Jewelry Buyers describes itself as “Houston’s premier pre-owned jewelry and watch seller and buyer” specializing in luxury brands including Rolex, Cartier, Patek Philippe, Breitling, Omega and Tag Heuer.
It is unclear from court records how investigators determined the items were counterfeit or how many items were allegedly involved in the case. But with the charge, records say the total cost is at least $150,000 but less than $300,000.
The investigation remains ongoing. The two’s next court dates are scheduled for Thursday, May 21.