Michael Van Nostrand, Wildlife Trafficking, Florida 2023

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Table of Contents

Florida Wildlife Dealer Sentenced for Smuggling Turtles

Miami, FL – In a shocking case of wildlife trafficking, Michael Van Nostrand, 55, of Davie, Florida, and his company, Strictly Reptiles, Inc., have been sentenced for their roles in a scheme to smuggle illegally-harvested Florida turtles out of the United States and into China, Japan, and other countries.

According to court records, from approximately April 2017 through April 2019, the defendants and their co-conspirators established a network of ‘collectors’ to capture specimens of various wild freshwater turtles within the State of Florida.

They then marketed and sold the turtles as ‘captive bred’ to both domestic and international customers to provide the appearance that the turtles were legally obtained. In text messages, Van Nostrand repeatedly exhorted his suppliers to acquire more of the principal species: Florida three-stripe mud turtles (Kinosternon baurii)

An investigation conducted by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service documented the illegal acquisition and sale of approximately 3,500 of Florida freshwater turtles.

Michael Van Nostrand was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of seven months, followed by a term of supervised release of three years, the first year of which will be served in home confinement. In addition, the Court ordered Van Nostrand to immediately pay a $100,000 fine to the Lacey Act Reward Fund and restricted Van Nostrand’s freedom to engage in the wildlife trade during the period of supervised release.

Strictly Reptiles, Inc. was sentenced to a term of five years’ probation, a fine of $150,000 also payable immediately to the Lacey Act Reward Fund, and oversight by an independent monitor/auditor, to be selected and appointed with the court’s approval.

The Lacey Act Reward Fund is a Congressionally authorized fund available to pay for the care, treatment, and rehabilitation of wildlife pending their disposition at the conclusion of civil and criminal matters and to compensate witnesses and cooperators in criminal investigations.

The State of Florida has restricted the commercialization of wild-caught turtles since 2009 as part of its conservation effort.

Juan Antonio Gonzalez, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida and David Pharo, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement, SAC Office Atlanta, GA announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Judge Kathleen M. Williams.