Man Charged With Felony After Allegedly Selling Counterfeit iPhone 17 Pro Max in Mendota Heights
Published: October 9th 2026.
MENDOTA HEIGHTS - A man is facing felony charges in Dakota County after allegedly selling a counterfeit iPhone 17 Pro Max to a buyer in Mendota Heights who believed he was purchasing a genuine Apple product, according to a criminal complaint.
Lamont Lavonte Duan Spicer, 30, has been charged with felony counterfeited intellectual property involving merchandise valued at more than $1,000 but not exceeding $10,000, along with a second count of counterfeited intellectual property.
According to the complaint, Mendota Heights police responded to a theft report at a Walgreens on Plaza Drive on September 12, 2026.
The victim told investigators he had arranged through Facebook to purchase an iPhone 17 Pro Max from an individual using the name "Kos Koozy." The two reportedly agreed to meet at the Walgreens to complete the transaction.
However, after purchasing the phone, the victim discovered it was allegedly counterfeit. Although the device resembled an iPhone 17 Pro Max, investigators said it actually operated on an Android system designed to imitate Apple's iOS interface.
Police reported that both the Facebook account associated with the seller and the original listing had been deleted.
The victim provided investigators with a description of the seller and the vehicle he had arrived in, which was identified as a white Jeep Cherokee.
Investigators traced the vehicle to Enterprise Mobility, where employees confirmed it had been rented to Spicer, according to the complaint.
Police subsequently located two Instagram accounts associated with Spicer and reported that his appearance matched the description provided by the victim.
Investigators also obtained cellphone records associated with Spicer that allegedly placed the device in Minnesota on the date of the transaction. According to the complaint, 14 telecommunications records showed a location in Mendota Heights that day.
Further investigation into Spicer's Instagram messages allegedly uncovered numerous conversations involving the sale of counterfeit iPhones, which prosecutors say he referred to as "jacks."
In one conversation from October 2022, Spicer allegedly acknowledged making money by selling the devices. Another conversation from April 2026 reportedly involved discussions about the availability of counterfeit iPhone 17 models in different colors.
Prosecutors allege additional messages showed Spicer offering to sell counterfeit iPhones and teach others how to sell them.
According to the complaint, investigators believe Spicer represented the device sold in Mendota Heights as a genuine, new iPhone 17 Pro Max despite it allegedly being counterfeit.
The complaint lists the retail price of a genuine iPhone 17 Pro Max as $1,399.99.
Authorities also reported discovering an outstanding arrest warrant for Spicer out of Livonia, Michigan. Prosecutors requested that a warrant be issued for his arrest in connection with the Dakota County case.
The primary felony charge carries a maximum potential sentence of three years in prison and/or a fine of up to $50,000.
The second count is identified in the complaint as counterfeited intellectual property, with a maximum potential sentence of one year of incarceration and/or a $3,000 fine.
The allegations have not been proven in court, and Spicer is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.