Sydney Johnson, Smuggling Protected Birds, California 2024

A shocking case of wildlife smuggling has come to light in California, with two individuals, Sydney Johnson and Brandon Marion, facing charges for bringing 27 protected parrots and parakeets into the United States in a spare tire cage.

According to authorities, Johnson, 27, of Santee, and Marion, 38, of Temecula, applied for admission to the US at the San Ysidro Port of Entry on May 3. However, Customs and Border Protection officers detected anomalies in the spare tire, leading to the discovery of the birds.

When inspected, the tire was found to have been outfitted with a cage, and the birds were heard screaming. The defendants admitted to hearing the birds' screeching as they drove, with Marion describing it as a 'pterodactyl screech.'

The birds, including 11 orange-fronted parakeets and 16 white-fronted Amazon parrots, are protected under the Endangered Species Act. One bird was already dead, and two birds died in quarantine, while 23 are believed to be recovering from the journey.

The defendants face charges of Importation Contrary to Law – Title 18. This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Rookard.

The United States Attorney's Office is a member of the Department of Justice's Trade Fraud Task Force, which aims to prevent trade fraud and protect national security.

The Justice Department encourages whistleblowers to report credible allegations of fraud, including using the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act or through the Criminal Division's Corporate Whistleblower Program.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdca/pr/man-and-woman-charged-smuggling-protected-parrots-and-parakeets-spare-tire-cage