New York Man Admits to Selling Unregistered Pesticide to Individuals Throughout US
A 62-year-old man from Elmont, New York, has pleaded guilty to knowingly distributing and selling an unregistered pesticide to individuals throughout the United States.
Jude Chukwuebuka Amadike sold an unregistered pesticide called Sniper DDVP on Amazon and eBay to customers in at least 22 states, including New Jersey, from September 15, 2016, through November 14, 2018.
The pesticide was imported from a Nigerian supplier, and one purchase in December 2017 revealed an import of approximately 798 pounds of Sniper DDVP.
On November 14, 2018, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Amadike’s home and recovered 1,728 bottles of the unregistered pesticide.
Laboratory testing of samples taken from these bottles revealed each sampled bottle to contain the chemical dichlorvos, which has been classified by EPA as a probable human carcinogen.
The illegal sale of an unregistered pesticide carries a statutory maximum prison sentence of one year and a fine of up to $25,000.
Sentencing is scheduled for March 16, 2021.
U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito credited special agents of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Criminal Investigation Division, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.
The government is represented by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason P. Garelick of the U.S. Attorney’s Government Fraud Unit in Newark.
Mandatory Facts:
Defendant: Jude Chukwuebuka Amadike, 62, of Elmont, New York.
Criminal Charges: One count of knowingly distributing or selling an unregistered pesticide in violation of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).
City and State: Newark, New Jersey.
Date: September 15, 2016, through November 14, 2018 (crime date).
Sentence: Sentencing is scheduled for March 16, 2021.
Dollar Amounts: Up to $25,000 fine.
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Key Facts
- State: New Jersey
- Category: Environmental Crimes|White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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