Bel Air Man Charged in $2.5M Sports Memorabilia Scheme

BEL AIR, MD – A Bel Air man has been charged in an alleged scheme to sell fraudulent sports memorabilia, according to the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, which is prosecuting the case.

Joshua Aaron Shores, 41, who resides part-time in Ocean City, was charged Friday with wire fraud related to a group of online sports memorabilia businesses he owned from 2008 to 2013, the U.S. Attorney said.

Shores allegedly purchased jerseys in bulk from China, forged autographs of well-known sports figures on them, created false certificates of authenticity and collected $2.5 million in sales using Amazon and Paypal accounts, the U.S. Attorney claims.

“I have pleaded guilty because I am guilty of obtaining and selling sports memorabilia which should not have been sold to the public,” Shores said in a statement to Bel Air Patch. ”I apologize to anyone who was hurt or damaged by purchasing items which should not have been sold. ”

The businesses Shores ran were allegedly located in both Maryland and Pennsylvania under these and other names:

• Autograph Showcase
• Sunset Beach
• End Game Sports
• Authenticgraph

The FBI and Department of Homeland Security investigated the case, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, which reported Shores has entered into a plea agreement with federal prosecutors.

Under the agreement, which is subject to court approval, Shores would be required to forfeit property in Ocean City, Md.; approximately $140,000 in U.S. currency; approximately $26,000 in proceeds related to a Harley-Davidson motorcycle and an SUV; and restitution for victims in the fraud scheme, according to the report.

Wire fraud is a charge punishable by up to 20 years in prison and $250,000 in fines, the U.S. Attorney reported.

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Full Statement from Joshua Shores

“I have pleaded guilty because I am guilty of obtaining and selling sports memorabilia which should not have been sold to the public. I apologize to anyone who was hurt or damaged by purchasing items which should not have been sold. I have taken responsibility for my actions by agreeing to plead guilty and I trust in the court system to impose a fair and appropriate punishment for my misconduct. I also apologize to my family and friends whom I have let down and disappointed by my actions.

“In the several years since any illegal sales stopped, I have worked hard to rebuild my personal and business life. I have assisted in starting new businesses and worked hard to comply with all applicable laws and regulations. Once I have fulfilled my responsibilities to any victims and the court system, I look forward to resuming many lawful business ventures and making amends for my bad decisions which led to these charges.”