ATLANTA (CNN) - A federal magistrate has ordered a man known as "DJ Rock" held without bail in what federal authorities Thursday called the largest music piracy operation ever discovered in the United States.
DJ Rock, whose real name is Khalid Ahmed Satary, was arrested Oct. 28 under a 15-count indictment accusing six people of music piracy.
Federal and local authorities involved in the investigation say the counterfeit operation pirated music by several dozen popular artists, including Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, Snoop Dog, Ludacris and Eminem.
At a news conference, U.S. Attorney Bill Duffy accused Satary of creating "an illegal market" with a gross retail value of more than $50 million.
Satary, who lives in the Atlanta suburb of Lawrenceville, is accused of having run a counterfeit CD and audio cassette manufacturing and distribution business since 1999.
According to the federal indictment, the business was run out of several offices and plants, mostly in the Atlanta area. The indictment says Satary's former girlfriend and secretary, Pamela Harris, told the FBI that Satary regularly wired profits to bank accounts in the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Israel.
Satary's wife, a U.S. citizen, and his children live in the UAE, where his wife owns and operates a bridal gown shop. Duffy said he could not comment on what happened to the profits once they reached the Middle East, because the investigation was continuing.
Satary appeared Monday before U.S. District Judge Beverly Martin. He was ordered held without bond, because he was considered a flight risk.
No trial date has been set.
The other five defendants have made initial court appearances and have been released on bond.
-- from CNN Producer Justine Redman
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