Turtle Trader Sentenced for Lacey Act Violation

KEITH D. BOUDREAUX, a 56-year-old Ponchatoula man, has been sentenced for illegally shipping false map turtles in violation of Title 16, United States Code, Sections 3372(d)(2) and 3373(d)(3)(A). The crime took place in 2018 when BOUDREAUX exported 1500 false map turtles to a buyer in the Netherlands using falsified export documents.

BOUDREAUX pleaded guilty on August 22, 2018, to submitting the false documents to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In a statement, U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in investigating the matter.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Spiro G. Latsis led the prosecution against BOUDREAUX. Judge Jay Zainey handed down the sentence of two years of probation and a fine of $15,000.

According to court documents, BOUDREAUX submitted the false documents as part of a shipment of 1500 turtles. The investigation revealed that BOUDREAUX had attempted to deceive authorities by falsifying the documents.

The case against BOUDREAUX serves as a reminder of the importance of enforcing wildlife regulations and preventing the smuggling of protected species. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will continue to work together to investigate and prosecute similar cases.

The sentence handed down to BOUDREAUX is seen as a warning to others who may attempt to engage in similar activities. The case highlights the consequences of Wildlife trafficking and the need for strict enforcement of regulations.

In related news, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has increased its efforts to monitor and prevent the smuggling of protected species. The agency is working closely with law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute individuals who engage in wildlife trafficking.

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