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HAIXI SHENG, 20, SENTENCED TO 1 YEAR AND 1 DAY IN PRISON FOR SMUGGLING PROTECTED WILDLIFE
In a shocking case of wildlife trafficking, Haixi Sheng, a 20-year-old native and citizen of China, was sentenced to 1 year and 1 day in prison for smuggling protected wildlife from the United States.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Sheng fraudulently and knowingly exported and sent Gulf Coast box turtles to China in November 2017 via the United States mail. The Gulf Coast box turtle is a protected species under Federal law and cannot be exported from the United States without prior approval from the United States Fish & Wildlife Service.
Sheng pled guilty to smuggling the protected turtles without the required authorization to export wildlife from the United States to China. This brazen act of wildlife trafficking has sent shockwaves through the conservation community.
The case was investigated by the United States Fish & Wildlife Service, with assistance from the United States Postal Inspection Service. Assistant United States Attorney James T. Clancy and Special Assistant United States Attorney Brian G. McDonnell prosecuted the case.
Senior United States District Court Judge Sylvia H. Rambo delivered the sentence on October 11, 2019. Sheng’s actions have been met with outrage from wildlife experts and conservationists, who are calling for stricter penalties for those who engage in wildlife trafficking.
The sentence handed down to Sheng is a stark reminder of the consequences of engaging in wildlife trafficking. As the world continues to grapple with the impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss, it is more important than ever to protect our planet’s precious wildlife.
Haixi Sheng’s case serves as a warning to those who would seek to exploit our planet’s natural resources for personal gain. The public is encouraged to report any suspicious wildlife trafficking activity to the authorities immediately.
Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Category: Wildlife Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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