Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on March 12, 2024, Yisroel Kornik, 33, of Lakewood, was charged with Counterfeiting in connection with a series of events that occurred in Lakewood from October 2023 through March 2024.
This charge is the result of a joint investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crime Unit, United States Department of Homeland Security Investigations, and United States Postal Inspection Service. The investigation determined that Kornik had been purchasing and importing counterfeit United States postage stamps from China and selling them on various online platforms such as Amazon and Walmart. Kornik received multiple notices from United States Customs and Border Protection that the stamps he was ordering and reselling were counterfeit. Despite being notified that the stamps were fake, Kornik continued to import counterfeit stamps in large denominations.
On March 12, 2024, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crime Squad, United States Department of Homeland Security Investigations, United States Postal Inspection Service, and Lakewood Township Police Department, executed a court-authorized search warrant on Kornik’s residence. As a result, Detectives seized a quantity of counterfeit stamps valued in excess of $10,000. Kornik was taken into custody at his residence without incident; he was transported to the Ocean County Jail, processed, and served with the charge via summons pending an upcoming first appearance in Ocean County Superior Court.
Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crime Squad, United States Department of Homeland Security Investigations, United States Postal Inspection Service, United States Customs and Border Protection, Lakewood Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, for their combined and collective assistance in connection with this investigation.
The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).