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Ivory and Rhino Horn Smuggler Sentenced
Yiwei Zheng, a 43-year-old Minnesota man, has been sentenced to pay $500,000 into the Lacey Act Reward Fund for smuggling elephant ivory and rhinoceros horns from the United States to China.
Zheng, also known as ‘Steve Zheng,’ was ordered to serve three years’ probation, six weeks of intermittent confinement, and perform 150 hours of community service. He operated an online business, Crouching Dragon Antiques, where he sold a variety of items, including elephant ivory and rhinoceros horn carvings.
According to court documents, Zheng smuggled elephant ivory out of the United States to a recipient in Shanghai, China, on April 30, 2011. He also exported two rhinoceros horns from the U.S. between July 25, 2010, and July 27, 2010, with knowledge that the horns were transported and sold in violation of U.S. laws.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service investigated Zheng’s online business and discovered that he had made over $1 million in sales, mostly from ivory and rhino horn items. Zheng pleaded guilty to the charges on January 13, 2016, and was sentenced by U.S. District Chief Judge John R. Tunheim in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura M. Provinzino said, ‘Those who engage in this illegal trade create demand, and a market for, the exploitation of endangered species such as black rhinoceros.’ U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Deputy Assistant Director for Law Enforcement Ed Grace added, ‘Stopping wildlife trafficking and trade in ivory and rhino continues to be a huge conservation priority for us.’
Zheng’s sentencing marks the latest effort to combat wildlife trafficking and protect endangered species. The Lacey Act Reward Fund will use the $500,000 fine to reward those who provide information about wildlife crimes and to pay the costs incurred in caring for fish, wildlife, or plants held as evidence in ongoing investigations.
Key Facts
- State: Minnesota
- Category: Wildlife Crime|Violent Crime|White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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