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Man accused in connection with fake auto parts appears in court

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The man charged with trafficking fake airbags had his first court appearance Friday.

The judge didn't set bond for Igor Borodin. Prosecutors said he's a flight risk because he's not a U.S. citizen and they think he may have lots of cash stashed somewhere.

Chopper 9 flew over the house where he lives in Indian Trail Thursday. Eyewitness News saw Homeland Security agents stack box after box of evidence. According to new court papers, it looks like agents allegedly seized more than 1,500 airbags. They say they took another 99 from Borodin's auto shop on Orr Road in northeast Charlotte.

The doors were locked there Friday and no one was roaming around. People who work next door say they don't know him, but one of their customers said he's worried for all the people who may be driving around with fake airbags.

Eyewitness News reached out to Homeland Security and the U.S. Attorney's Office to talk about that, whether the airbags are safe, how many people may have them in their vehicles, and how you know if you're one of them. But, as of late Friday afternoon, no one had answers. The U.S. Attorney simply vowed to "vigorously prosecute any intellectual property violations, especially those that potentially involve public safety."

As for Borodin, five relatives or friends went to court for his first appearance. They didn't want to talk about him or the case, and one even blocked the camera with his hand.

If convicted, Borodin faces up to 10 years behind bars and a $5 million fine. He'll be back in federal court Wednesday.