Ex-NBA player arrested over fake sneakers

By Admin on June 13, 2009

A 2-month investigation into the alleged sale of counterfeit gym shoes from a Far South Side shop owned by an ex-NBA player culminated with the arrests today of that former basketball pro and his employee, according to Markham police, who led the investigation.

Police from the south suburb, with assistance from Chicago police tactical unit officers, seized 500 pairs of counterfeit Nike Air Jordans from the shop, located in the Halsted Indoor Mall, 11444 S. Halsted St. in Chicago, said Markham Police Deputy Chief Tony DeBois.

One of the men arrested was the store’s owner, 36-year-old Nate Driggers, who played 15 games as a forward for the Boston Celtics during the 1996-1997 season, said DeBois.

Also seized was 10 pounds of marijuana, worth an estimated $30,000, he said.

The employee, Michael Bohannon, 28, was also arrested. Both men were charged with unauthorized use of trademark, a misdemeanor, DeBois said, adding that the charge could be upgraded to a felony.

No charges have been filed yet in connection with the marijuana found in the store, but the investigation was ongoing, police said.

After being notified by representatives of Nike about the alleged sales of counterfeit shoes at the mall, DeBois said an undercover officer was sent to the shop to make some purchases of the shoes. He said the counterfeit Air Jordans sold for $35 a pair, when the actual price of an authentic pair of the shoes is about $150.

DeBois said the men got the shoes from New York City.

“Nike comes out [and tells authorities] if someone sells one pair of counterfeit shoes,” he said. “That’s how serious they are with this.”

–Jeremy Gorner