Oakland Man Pleads Guilty to Mislabeling and Importing Leopard Hunting Trophy
Adam Thatcher Lawrence, 38, of Willits, California, pleaded guilty to mislabeling and importing a leopard hunting trophy from South Africa in federal court in Oakland.
According to the plea agreement, Lawrence admitted to hunting, shooting, and killing a leopard in South Africa in August 2011 without a permit. He then transported the leopard’s skin and skull to Mozambique and falsely claimed he had killed the leopard in Mozambique.
Lawrence acquired permits to export the leopard parts from Mozambique, import them into South Africa, and re-export them into the United States. He knowingly submitted a false declaration for importation of the leopard skin and skull, stating he had killed the leopard in Mozambique in 2012.
A federal grand jury indicted Lawrence on January 11, 2018, charging him with one count of importing wildlife contrary to law and one count of mislabeling wildlife intended for importation.
Under the plea agreement, Lawrence pleaded guilty to the mislabeling count, and the importing count will be dismissed. He agreed to forfeit his interest in the leopard skin and skull, as well as a hunting rifle used to kill the leopard, and other contraband seized from his home in October 2016.
Lawrence is currently released on bond and scheduled to be sentenced on June 25, 2018. The maximum statutory penalty for a violation of 16 U.S.C. § 3372(d) and 3373(d)(3) is five years’ imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 plus restitution, if appropriate.
Defendant Name: Adam Thatcher Lawrence
Criminal Charges: Mislabeling wildlife intended for importation, 16 U.S.C. § 3372(d) and 3373(d)(3)
City and State: Oakland, California
Crime Date: August 2011
Sentence: Released on bond pending sentencing on June 25, 2018
Fine: Not applicable
Key Facts
- State: California
- Category: Wildlife Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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