Related Federal Cases
- XPLOR Energy Hit with $3.1M Fine for Clean Water Act Violation · Oklahoma
- Cleveland Man Indicted for Clean Air Act Violations, $1.2M Fraud · Ohio
- Knowles Sentenced for Rights Violation, Falsification · Louisiana
- Cambodian National Pleads Guilty to Gun Act Violations · Louisiana
- Louisiana Nursing Home Owner Hit With Exclusion Due to Squalid Conditions, Deaths · Louisiana
Turtle Farmer Guilty of Lacey Act Violation
KEITH D. BOUDREAUX, a 56-year-old turtle farmer from Ponchatoula, Louisiana, has pleaded guilty to a one-count bill of information charging him with illegally shipping false map turtles in violation of Title 16, United States Code, Sections 3372(d)(2) and 3373(d)(3)(A).
According to court documents, BOUDREAUX submitted falsified export documents in connection with a shipment of 1500 false map turtles that he exported to a buyer in the Netherlands.
The investigation revealed that BOUDREAUX’s actions were a clear violation of the Lacey Act, which prohibits the smuggling and trafficking of wildlife and wildlife products.
U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans praised the work of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in investigating this matter.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Spiro G. Latsis is in charge of the prosecution, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of not more than five years, not more than three years on supervised release, a fine of $250,000.00, and a mandatory special assessment of $100.00.
BOUDREAUX is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey on November 27, 2018.
The guilty plea marks a significant victory for wildlife conservation efforts and serves as a warning to others who would engage in similar activities.
As the investigation and prosecution of this case demonstrate, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work tirelessly to protect the environment and ensure that those who engage in wildlife trafficking are held accountable for their actions.
Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Category: White Collar Crime|Wildlife Trafficking|Environmental Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News