Robert Glenn Hennessy, Wildlife Trafficking, New Jersey 2016

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NJ Man Charged with Trafficking Louisiana Box Turtles

A New Jersey man has been charged with violating the Lacey Act after allegedly trafficking Louisiana box turtles worth over $350.00.

Robert Glenn Hennessy, 65, of Bayonne, New Jersey, was charged in a four-count indictment with knowingly importing, exporting, transporting, selling, receiving, acquiring, and purchasing in interstate commerce the protected turtles.

According to the indictment, Hennessy engaged in the illicit trade on four occasions between March 18, 2016, and June 14, 2017. The Lacey Act prohibits the sale of native reptiles and amphibians collected in Louisiana without a license, and the taking of wild box turtles for commercial purposes is strictly prohibited.

The indictment states that Hennessy, who is a resident of New Jersey, knowingly violated these laws by dealing in the protected turtles. If convicted, Hennessy faces a maximum penalty of 5 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and three years supervised release after imprisonment.

U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans emphasized that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Evans also praised the work of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and United States Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, in investigating the matter.

The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily K. Greenfield and Jon Maestri. U.S. Attorney Evans thanked the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey for their assistance in the case.

The Lacey Act is a federal law that prohibits the unauthorized importation, exportation, transportation, sale, receipt, acquisition, and purchase of wildlife and fish in interstate commerce.