DJ Big Mike has been arrested for music piracy.
According to the Newtown Patch the popular mixtape dj, real name Michael Willcox, 33, and his half brother Michael Dabato, 21, were arrested last week at their homes in Danbury and Sandy Hook, Connecticut following a two year investigation by the Recording Industry Association of America.
The arrests were the result of hours of surveillance work by the RIAA that began with the investigation into a cd "burner" house..
Search warrants were served on three homes where investigators found 3500 cds the brothers had manufactured themselves that reportedly contained pirated music from G-Unit, Lil Wayne and other Universal artists.
Some of the titles seized included “Blue Label That was my joint,” “Hard Knock Life,” “New York Struggle,” R&B Jump Off 50,” “Red Apples Falling” and “Trapaholics.”
Based on UPS records, it's estimated Big Mike made about $600,000 distributing his mixtapes between 2007 and 2009.
Both brothers are currently out of jail. Sabato posted a $1,000 bond and was scheduled to appear in court yesterday (June 15). While Big Mike was released on a promise to appear in court June 21.
Stephen Sabato
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