(CNN) A Long Island man is charged with violating the Defense Production Act, after prosecutors say he hoarded several tons of personal protective equipment needed by first responders and health care workers who are treating Covid-19 patients and sold it at his store for huge markups, according to court filings.

In a complaint filed Friday, federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York say that Amardeep Singh, 45, filled his Long Island warehouse and store with protective equipment and sanitizing products that are in serious shortage nationwide and New York.

"Singh's amassing of critical personal protective equipment during a public health crisis and reselling at huge markups places him squarely in the cross-hairs of law enforcement armed with the Defense Production Act," said United States Attorney Richard Donoghue.

Singh's attorney, Brad Gerstman, said his client claims he is innocent and will fight the charges.

"Given the set of circumstances we're all living in with coronavirus, everyone trying to still make a living, for the federal government to start targeting private business and people seems unconscionable to me," Gerstman told CNN.

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