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Ginseng Smuggling Ringleader Sentenced in West Virginia
A North Carolina man has been held accountable for his role in a ginseng smuggling operation in West Virginia. David Changhyub Lee, 35, of Raleigh, North Carolina, was sentenced to one year of probation and fined $4,250 for his involvement in the scheme.
According to court records, Lee pleaded guilty to one count of Interstate Transportation of Ginseng in Violation of State Law – Aiding and Abetting in December 2020. The charge stemmed from Lee’s admission to purchasing nearly 15 pounds of ginseng from Randolph County and elsewhere for a total of $4,250 and transporting it to North Carolina without a certificate of origin from the West Virginia Division of Forestry.
Ginseng is a protected plant under the federal Lacey Act (16 USC § 3371 et seq.), which prohibits the taking and interstate trafficking of protected plants and animals in violation of state law. The market value of the plant exceeds $350, making it a felony offense under 16 USC § 3373.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the West Virginia Natural Resources Police, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.
U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided over the case, handing down the sentence of one year of probation and a fine of $4,250 to Lee. The sentence reflects the seriousness with which the court views the offense and the need to hold individuals accountable for their actions.
The sentencing marks the culmination of a lengthy investigation into the ginseng smuggling operation. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to state and federal regulations regarding the transportation of protected plants and animals.
Defendant: David Changhyub Lee
Criminal Charge: Interstate Transportation of Ginseng in Violation of State Law – Aiding and Abetting
Location: Elkins, West Virginia
Sentence: One year of probation and a fine of $4,250
Fine Amount: $4,250
Date: December 2020
Key Facts
- State: West Virginia
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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