Vincent Felix River, Lacey Act Violations, Louisiana 2021

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Vincent Felix River, 48, and his wife Megan Lynn Shoemaker, 36, former residents of Springfield, Louisiana, pleaded guilty on July 27, 2021 to selling Louisiana Common box turtles in violation of the Lacey Act.

On July 13, 2017, a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agent arrived at the Office Depot parking lot in Covington, LA to arrange a previously negotiated undercover purchase of 29 Louisiana Common box turtles from River. River and Shoemaker were waiting at the location. The undercover USFWS agent greeted them, and River and Shoemaker began removing sacks containing Louisiana common box turtles from the trunk of his car. The undercover agent then paid River $680.00 in cash for the 29 Louisiana Common box turtles.

After the transaction, a traffic stop was performed. River was operating the vehicle and was in possession of the $680 he had received from the undercover USFWS agent. An agent checked the serial numbers on the money that River possessed and it matched the serial numbers on the money that had been provided from the undercover USFWS agent.

If convicted, River faces a maximum term of imprisonment of up to five years, not more than three years on supervised release, a fine of $20,000.00, and a mandatory special assessment of $100.00. Shoemaker faces a maximum term of imprisonment of up to one year, not more than one year on supervised release, a fine of $10,000 and a mandatory special assessment of $25.00. Sentencing is scheduled for October 26, 2021 before the Honorable Wendy B. Vitter.

U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans praised the work of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Homeland Security Investigations and the United Postal Service in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jon Maestri is in charge of the prosecution.

Turtle trafficking is a serious offense, and we will continue to work tirelessly to protect our wildlife and bring those responsible to justice.

River and Shoemaker were charged with selling Louisiana Common box turtles in violation of the Lacey Act, which prohibits the sale of wildlife taken in violation of state, federal, or tribal laws.

The Lacey Act is a federal law that aims to prevent wildlife trafficking and protect endangered species. The law makes it illegal to sell, trade, or transport wildlife taken in violation of state, federal, or tribal laws.

Related Federal Cases