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ADEL, Ga. (WALB) - High-end brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Christian Dior, and many others are listed as victims in a newly filed counterfeit goods case.

Prominent business owners and a former Cook County principal are at the center of that case, facing federal charges, after a grand jury found enough evidence for indictment.

WALB first started following the case in February 2024 when Chase Studstill, District Attorney for the Alapaha Judicial Circuit, filed a complaint against five of the seven now being indicted by United States Attorney William R. Keyes.

In a 10-page indictment the defendants are accused of trafficking in counterfeit goods for nearly four years. It goes into detail describing the object of the alleged conspiracy and the payments methods the defendants allegedly used.

Michelle Meadows, and her husband and former Cook Middle School Principal, Russell Meadows, are both named in the alleged counterfeit conspiracy.

The indictment also names Ashlin Meadows, Heather Danielle Edmondson, James Shiver Jr., Blake Woodruff, and Haiden Hall Childree.

While all the defendants are being charged with Conspiracy to Traffic in Counterfeit Goods, Michelle Meadows and Heather Edmondson are also being charged with Tampering.

The indictment said through three private Facebook groups the defendants fraudulently sold handbags, sunglasses, clothing, footwear, and other goods bearing counterfeit marks without the knowledge and authorization of several high-end retailers.

Referring to the items as “replicas” or “inspired” items.

The indictment alleges some of the defendants, “…did intentionally traffic…(high-end items)…that bore counterfeit marks that were virtually indistinguishable to the victim’s legitimate marks…"

It said some of them, “…amassed an inventory of two thousand counterfeit goods…bearing the trademark emblems…with a total value of (more than $10 million dollars)”.

Count two charges Michelle Meadows and her daughter Heather Edmondson with tampering for allegedly “…burning items with the intent to impair the integrity…of those items for use as evidence..”

If the accused are found guilty of count one, they could face up to 10 years in prison and a $2,000,000 fine. For tampering the defendants could face up to 20 years in prison.

The U.S. District Attorney’s office says as of now this indictment is just an accusation of criminal wrongdoing so they have no comment as the investigation is on-going.

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