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Tiger Skin Scam Uncovered
LOS ANGELES – In a shocking revelation, five Southern California residents have been charged with selling endangered species and animal parts through online auction sites, including Craigslist.
Operation ‘Wild Web’ was an undercover operation that targeted the illegal sale of protected animals and their parts. The investigation, coordinated by the United States Fish & Wildlife Service, involved investigators and prosecutors across the United States and in three Southeast Asian countries.
The charges stem from an operation that took place in August, where investigators posing as buyers made over 150 undercover purchases of endangered wildlife. The focus was on endangered or protected wildlife, as well as invasive species that threaten native fish species in the United States.
Hanna Karim, 44, and his wife, Margarita Licomitros, 36, both of Huntington Beach, are accused of selling a Sumatran Tiger skin for $8,000. They are charged with offering an endangered species for sale and, if convicted, each could face up to one year in federal prison.
Rene De La Peza, 42, of Hacienda Heights, is accused of selling a jaguar skin for $15,000. He is charged with offering an endangered species for sale and, if convicted, could face up to one year in federal prison.
Michael Roy McIntire, 59, of Encino, is accused of selling three migratory bird mounts in violation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. If convicted, McIntire would face up to six months in prison.
Rodrigo Macedo, 29, of Hesperia, is accused of selling two Western Scrub Jays in violation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. This charge carries a maximum penalty of six months in federal prison.
As part of Operation Wild Web, state and federal prosecutors across the nation have filed over 100 criminal cases, with most of the cases being filed in California, Texas, and Florida.
The cases filed in Los Angeles this morning charge five defendants with violations of federal environmental laws. The defendants are Hanna Karim, Margarita Licomitros, Rene De La Peza, Michael Roy McIntire, and Rodrigo Macedo.
Key Facts
- State: California
- Category: Wildlife Trafficking|Cybercrime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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