Nathan Horton, Turtle Trafficking, Georgia 2015

Nathan Horton, a 36-year-old former resident of Bainbridge, Georgia, has been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly trapping and exporting thousands of freshwater turtles in Georgia in violation of the Lacey Act, which regulates the trafficking and labeling of wildlife, fish, and plants.

According to the indictment, Horton shipped thousands of freshwater turtles from Georgia to California that had been trapped using turtle nets that were illegal under Georgia law. The indictment alleges that Horton repeatedly used these illegal traps to capture freshwater turtles, despite being cited by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources on multiple occasions for using such traps.

The charges against Horton include violating the Lacey Act, which makes it unlawful for individuals to knowingly export and sell wildlife that has been illegally taken in violation of state law. The indictment also alleges that Horton trapped and exported several species of turtles, including the Stripe-necked musk turtle, Loggerhead musk turtle, Common musk turtle, and Eastern mud turtles.

The case is being investigated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Horton was arraigned on December 10, 2020, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Justin S. Anand.

“Illegal wildlife trafficking both decimates species and undermines the rule of law,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak. “We are committed to working with our law enforcement partners to prosecute those who violate our nation’s wildlife protection statutes for the sake of illegal profit.”

The indictment and other information before the court allege that Horton’s actions were a clear violation of Georgia’s conservation laws, which regulate the collecting, trapping, exporting, trading, and selling of freshwater turtles from land belonging to the state. Horton held a Commercial Turtle Permit during the time in question, but repeatedly used illegal traps to capture the turtles.

Nathan Horton, 36, formerly of Bainbridge, Georgia, was indicted for violating the Lacey Act. He was arraigned on December 10, 2020. Members of the public are reminded that the indictment only contains charges. The defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

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