Los Angeles: La Palma Police Detectives, in a joint investigation with the Los Angeles Police Department, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, and the Motion Picture Association of America, arrested two suspects for allegedly selling counterfeit DVD movies. Julie Nelson, a 28-year veteran Captain with the Los Angeles Police Department, was arrested for allegedly selling counterfeit DVD movies to an undercover police officer after having received a tip from a confidential informant. The confidential informant alleged that Nelson was selling pirated DVD’s to customers inside an Orange County business. The Los Angles Police Department's Professional Standards Bureau launched an investigation and obtained search warrants for Captain Nelson’s residence and vehicles in La Palma, California.

La Palma Police Detectives served the search warrants and recovered more than 250 pirated DVD’s from her residence, personal car and Department car. According to the Motion Picture Association of America, these pirated DVD’s hold a street value of nearly $5,000.00. On December 12, 2003, Nelson was arrested by La Palma detectives at the Los Angeles Police Department's Hollywood Area Police Station.

Detectives identified a second suspect, Edward Geronimo Monroy, who was arrested at his residence in Torrance. A search of Monroy’s residence uncovered additional pirated DVD’s along with computers and copying equipment believed to be connected with this case.

Both suspects were booked at the La Palma Police Department and later released. Nelson’s arraignment is set for January 6, 2004, where she could be facing two felony counts of possession and sales of counterfeit DVD’s. Monroy’s arraignment is set for January 26, 2004.

This news release was prepared by Public Information Officer Adriana N. Sanchez, Media Relations Section, at 213-485-3586.