Laredo Counterfeit Watch Case: Ex-Soccer Goalkeeper Charged in $5.4M Scheme

LAREDO, Texas – A 45-year-old Mexican citizen and former professional goalkeeper faces federal charges in Laredo in a counterfeit watch trafficking case that investigators valued at about $5.4 million. The Laredo counterfeit watch case centers on Pedro Hernandez-Calderon, who remains in custody pending further criminal proceedings.

Federal authorities charged Hernandez-Calderon with trafficking in counterfeit goods. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $2 million fine.

How the case began

According to the criminal complaint, authorities seized four counterfeit luxury watches on October 5 in Anchorage, Alaska. The watches were headed to a warehouse in Laredo. Authorities in Alaska coordinated with law enforcement in South Texas to identify the people responsible.

The complaint says Hernandez-Calderon ran an import-export business that received counterfeit watches in Laredo and shipped them to customers in Mexico.

$5.4 million in shipments

Between June 2025 and October 2026, authorities identified numerous shipments of counterfeit watches to Laredo addresses. The complaint puts their estimated retail value at about $5.4 million if the watches had been genuine.

Authorities also said they found photographs, communications and shipping records documenting the operation. According to the charges, representatives from luxury watch manufacturers confirmed that the watches submitted for review were counterfeit.

Soccer background

At his initial appearance, the court heard that Hernandez-Calderon is a former professional goalkeeper. He played for the Mexican clubs Atlas, Santos Laguna and Necaxa.

Agencies involved

Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with help from IRS Criminal Investigations and the U.S. Postal Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Sekula is prosecuting the case.

A criminal complaint is an accusation. Hernandez-Calderon has not been convicted.