David L. Boone, Trafficking Protected Narwhal Tusks, Washington 2023
A 64-year-old resident of Brinnon, Jefferson County, Washington was sentenced last week in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to six months in prison, one year of supervised release and a $25,000 fine for trafficking ivory from protected species.
David L. Boone, who operates Boone Trading Company, participated in an operation that illegally smuggled narwhal tusks taken from the threatened Arctic whales into the United States from Canada. Boone also trafficked in sperm whale teeth and walrus tusks.
The purchase and sale of these items is prohibited under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), an international treaty that regulates trade in species whose survival is threatened by trade, and the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
“We have an obligation to the international community to prosecute those who seek to profit from illegal trafficking in protected species such as the magnificent narwhal,” said U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes.
According to records filed in the case, between 2006 and 2008, Boone purchased narwhal tusks from a Canadian and a resident of Tennessee. Narwhals are Arctic whales often called the ‘Unicorn of the Sea’ because of their prominent tusk.
The Canadian exporter of the narwhal tusks plead guilty to multiple counts of money laundering and was sentenced today in U.S. District Court for the District of Maine to more than 5 years in prison. In addition to Boone, three other United States citizens were prosecuted and convicted for their participation in the narwhal tusk smuggling scheme.
The court directed that the $25,000 criminal fine be paid to the Lacey Act Reward Fund. Monies deposited into this Fund are used to reward persons who furnish information leading to successful enforcement actions against those who traffic in illegally taken fish and wildlife.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Office of Law Enforcement. Assistant United States Attorney James Oesterle prosecuted the case.
Defendant Information:
Defendant: David L. Boone
City and State: Brinnon, Washington
Exact Date: Last week in U.S. District Court in Tacoma
Sentence or Outcome: Six months in prison, one year of supervised release and a $25,000 fine
Dollar Amounts: $25,000
Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Category: White Collar Crime|Environmental Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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