COP BUSTED IN NEW VIDEO PIRACY WAR.

Byline: James Nash Staff Writer

Less than a week after announcing a crackdown on movie piracy, Los Angeles police announced Tuesday that they had made their first arrest in a high-profile case - an LAPD captain who was taken into custody on suspicion of running a business illegally duplicating hundreds of DVDs.

LAPD officials said the arrest of Julie D. Nelson, a patrol captain in the Hollywood Division, was not directly related to Thursday's announcement by Chief William Bratton that police would vigorously enforce laws against piracy, particularly a new state law against bringing recording devices into movie theaters.

``As this investigation and arrest makes clear, when the department receives information that one of its own is breaking the law, regardless of rank, we will pursue every lead using every available resource,'' said LAPD First Assistant Chief Jim McDonnell.

With film piracy representing a multimillion-dollar loss to the entertainment industry, Bratton, Mayor James Hahn, Sheriff Lee Baca and City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo announced last week a new crackdown on the crime.

``This is one of the most important industries in Los Angeles and we have to do all that we can to protect it,'' Hahn said. ``And that includes stopping those who pirate films.''

Weeks ago, a confidential informant tipped off LAPD investigators that Nelson, a 28-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department, had been selling pirated DVDs, McDonnell said.

The LAPD's Professional Standards Bureau investigated the allegations along with the Orange County District Attorney's Office and the police department in La Palma, where Nelson lives. La Palma police arrested Nelson after finding more than 100 pirated and counterfeit DVDs in her home and vehicles, McDonnell said.

``I don't believe it was out of the Hollywood Division at all,'' McDonnell said at a news conference announcing the arrest. ``It was strictly a personal business.''

The LAPD did not have any information on how Nelson pirated the movies or what kind of equipment was recovered at her home, officials said.

McDonnell said the DVDs found at Nelson's home were mainstream feature films.

Nelson was booked on suspicion of two felonies: failure to disclose the origin of recording an audiovisual work, and possession for sale of a counterfeit trademark. The first charge could bring a prison sentence of one to five years and a fine of up to $250,000; the second charge carries a sentence of one to three years and a fine as high as $250,000. She will be arraigned in Orange County.

Bratton was joined by other police, city and film industry officials in announcing plans to strictly enforce the pending law against bringing camcorders and other recording devices into movie theaters. The penalty, if convicted, is up to one year in county jail and a $2,500 fine.

Although Nelson's arrest is unrelated to the new law, it is the first high-profile arrest since officials announced the crackdown.

McDonnell said her arrest proves that the LAPD will vigilantly enforce laws even against its own high-ranking officers.

Nelson, who has been relieved of duty pending her criminal case, could not be reached for comment.

Nelson joined the LAPD in 1975 and spent the majority of her career in investigative assignments, including 16 years as a field detective.

According to her official LAPD biography, she worked on homicide investigations, organized-crime and vice investigations, and auto theft investigations. She was promoted to lieutenant in 1995 and to captain in 1999.

She served as the commanding officer of the LAPD's financial crimes division, which is responsible for the citywide investigation of major fraud and embezzlement cases, and white-collar crime.

James Nash, [phone]

james.nash(at)dailynews.com

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(color) Julie D. Nelson joined the LAPD in 1975 and is a patrol captain in the Hollywood Division.