A California man pleaded guilty to federal criminal charges for illegally bringing more than 1,700 wild animals into the United States at the U.S.- Mexico border.
Jose Manuel Perez, 30, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to two counts of smuggling goods into the United States and one count of wildlife trafficking. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles, Perez smuggled the wild animals, including 60 reptiles, in his clothing, small bags and even his pants.
According his plea agreement, Perez and his accomplices used social media to smuggle Yucatan box turtles, Mexican box turtles, baby crocodiles and Mexican beaded lizards into the United States from Jan. 2016 to Feb. 2022.
Federal agents said the animals were imported into the United States from Mexico and Hong Kong without being declared to U.S. customs officials or obtaining permits required by an international treaty known as the Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Perez was arrested at the U.S.- Mexico border in Feb. 2022.
Law enforcement estimates that the wildlife smuggled by Perez had a total market value of more than $739,000.
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Jose Manuel Perez, 30, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to two counts of smuggling goods into the United States and one count of wildlife trafficking. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles, Perez smuggled the wild animals, including 60 reptiles, in his clothing, small bags and even his pants.
According his plea agreement, Perez and his accomplices used social media to smuggle Yucatan box turtles, Mexican box turtles, baby crocodiles and Mexican beaded lizards into the United States from Jan. 2016 to Feb. 2022.
Federal agents said the animals were imported into the United States from Mexico and Hong Kong without being declared to U.S. customs officials or obtaining permits required by an international treaty known as the Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Perez was arrested at the U.S.- Mexico border in Feb. 2022.
Law enforcement estimates that the wildlife smuggled by Perez had a total market value of more than $739,000.
Continue reading...