Latest news with #Waldrop
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
Men hit with severe penalties after being caught bringing bizarre illegal cargo into the US: 'Underscores the critical importance'
Two men have been sentenced for their involvement in one of the "largest bird trafficking cases in history," the Justice Department announced. Officials found that the men had illegally brought thousands of taxidermy bird mounts and eggs into the U.S., including some endangered species. Georgia resident John Waldrop was ordered to pay $900,000 and sentenced to three years of probation for violating the Endangered Species Act. In August, Waldrop pleaded guilty to the violations and to conspiring to smuggle wildlife. Waldrop had enlisted Toney Jones, an employee on his farm, to help in his operation. Jones was sentenced to six months of probation. Waldrop had an extensive collection of taxidermied birds and eggs, many of which were endangered species. Authorities said the collection had a total of 1,401 taxidermy bird mounts and 2,594 eggs, including several eggs from the Nordmann's Greenshank, an Asian shorebird with only 900 to 1,600 birds remaining in the wild. Waldrop sourced the birds from eBay and Etsy sellers worldwide. He imported them without proper permits or declarations. Wildlife trafficking threatens local ecosystems because it removes animals from their native environments and relocates them to new ones, disrupting the balance of both habitats. This imbalance is not only a threat to the animals. It also impacts local economies, as many regional industries are often reliant on nearby wildlife and resources, according to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Traffickers often trade endangered animals, which further threatens their survival. Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. "The scale of this investigation underscores the critical importance of protecting our natural resources," said Douglas Ault, assistant director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Office of Law Enforcement. "Waldrop's collection included thousands of bird specimens and eggs, many of which are among the rarest in the world." Wildlife trafficking is illegal, and it is also often wrapped up in other criminal enterprises such as drug and human trafficking. Ault said his department will "remain vigilant and will continue to hold accountable those who exploit our shared natural resources for personal gain." There are many laws and regulatory bodies prohibiting wildlife trafficking, including the Endangered Species Act, the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (also known as "CITES") — all of which were used in Waldrop's case. The USFWS is "unwavering in our commitment to safeguarding wildlife for future generations," Ault said. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Yahoo
Eufaula man sentenced in ‘largest-ever' taxidermy bird, egg trafficking plot
DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN) — A Eufaula man accused of helping a Georgia doctor smuggle in thousands of illegal taxidermy birds and eggs into U.S. has been sentenced. A statement from the Department of Justice revealed Toney Jones, of Eufaula, was sentenced to six months probation after pleading guilty to an Endangered Species Act charge. The second suspect in the case, Dr. John Waldrop of Cataula, Georgia, was sentenced to serve three years of probation and pay a $900,000 fine. He pled guilty to conspiracy to smuggle wildlife and ESA violations. According to the DOJ, Waldrop, with Jones' help, amassed a collection of 1,401 taxidermy bird mounts and 2,594 eggs. This included: Four eagles protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act 179 bird and 193 egg species that were listed on the Migratory Bird Treaty Act 212 bird and 32 egg species covered by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). 'This included incredibly rare specimens like three eggs of the Nordmann's Greenshank, an Asian shorebird with only 900 to 1,600 remaining birds in the wild; no North American museum has any Nordmann Greenshank eggs in their collection,' the DOJ said in its statement. The birds and eggs were imported without the required declarations and permits between 2016 and 2020. Previously unsealed indictments for Jones and Dr. Waldrop claim that the two used online sites like eBay and Etsy to buy the hundreds of taxidermized bird mounts and thousands of live eggs from countries including Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Lithuania, Malta, Russia, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Uruguay. DOJ attorneys say that federal inspectors intercepted several packages at John F. Kennedy airport, Waldrop recruited Jones, who worked on the doctor's Georgia farm, to receive the packages. Jones was also accused of depositing around $525,000 in a bank account used by Waldrop to pay for the imports and hide his involvement. 'Waldrop's gigantic and rare bird collection was bolstered in part by illegal imports, where he and his enlisted co-conspirators intentionally avoided permit and declaration requirements,' said Acting Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). 'We applaud the efforts of the various federal and state law enforcement entities in investigating and prosecuting this case.' Attorneys previously said Waldrop collected protected avian species such as canary, dipper, duck, eagle, falcon, grouse, gull, hawk, heron, hoopoe, kestrel, kinglet, lapwing, murre, owl, parrot, pochard, rail, teal, snipe, spoonbill, vulture and woodpecker. USFWS National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Lab said tat after examining Waldrop's forfeited collection, it was determined to be the 'largest seizure of bird mounts in their 37-year history.' 'The scale of this investigation underscores the critical importance of protecting our natural resources,' said Assistant Director Douglas Ault of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Office of Law Enforcement. 'Waldrop's collection included thousands of bird specimens and eggs, many of which are among the rarest in the world. This is one of the largest bird trafficking cases in history, and the commercialization of species protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and CITES highlights the conservation impact of Waldrop's crimes. We at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement are unwavering in our commitment to safeguarding wildlife for future generations. We will remain vigilant and will continue to hold accountable those who exploit our shared natural resources for personal gain.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Yahoo
Columbus doctor fined $900,000 in largest bird mount trafficking case
A Columbus doctor and a Eufaula man have been sentenced in the largest bird mount trafficking cases, the U.S. Department of Justice announced. The DOJ said Dr. John Waldrop of Cataula was ordered to pay a $900,000 fine and serve three years of probation. The fine is one of the largest for an Endangered Species Act case, according to the DOJ. Toney Jones, of Eufaula, Alabama, was sentenced to six months of probation, the DOJ said. 'Waldrop pleaded guilty in August 2024 to conspiracy to smuggle wildlife and ESA violations, while Jones pleaded guilty to an ESA charge,' the DOJ said in a news release. The DOJ said court documents and statements showed Waldrop collected 1,401 taxidermy bird mounts and 2,594 eggs, including: Four eagles protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act 179 bird and 193 egg species listed in the Migratory Bird Treaty Act 212 bird and 32 egg species covered by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This includes rare specimens like three eggs of the Nordmann's Greenshank, an Asian shorebird with only 900 to 1,600 remaining birds in the wild; no North American museum has any Nordmann Greenshank eggs in their collection. 'Waldrop's gigantic and rare bird collection was bolstered in part by illegal imports, where he and his enlisted co-conspirators intentionally avoided permit and declaration requirements,' Acting Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) said in the news release. 'This is one of the largest bird trafficking cases in history, and the commercialization of species protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and CITES highlights the conservation impact of Waldrop's crimes,' Assistant Director Douglas Ault of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Office of Law Enforcement said in the news release. The DOJ said Waldrop imported birds and eggs without the required declarations and permits between 2016 and 2020. Waldrop recruited Jones to receive the packages after USFWS inspectors intercepted several shipments, according to the DOJ. 'Jones also deposited approximately $525,000 in a bank account that Waldrop then used to pay for the imports and hide his involvement,' the DOJ release says. The DOJ said the pair used websites like eBay and Etsy to buy birds and eggs from around the world. Waldrop forfeited his collection, according to the DOJ. 'The USFWS National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Lab examined the items and determined it to be the largest seizure of bird mounts in their 37-year history,' the release says. The investigation was conducted by the USFWS Office of Law Enforcement in Valley Stream, N.Y., as part of Operation Final Flight, according to the DOJ.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Yahoo
Alabama, Georgia men sentenced in largest bird mount trafficking case in history
WASHINGTON (TRIBUNE) — A federal judge in Brooklyn today sentenced two men for trafficking protected birds and eggs into the United States in violation of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) resulting in the largest fine ever in a ESA case, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Justice. Dr. John Waldrop of Cataula, Georgia, was ordered to pay a $900,000 fine — one of the largest-ever for an ESA case — and serve three years of probation. Toney Jones of Eufala, Alabama, was sentenced to six months of probation. Waldrop pleaded guilty in August 2024 to conspiracy to smuggle wildlife and ESA violations, while Jones pleaded guilty to an ESA charge. 'Waldrop's gigantic and rare bird collection was bolstered in part by illegal imports, where he and his enlisted co-conspirators intentionally avoided permit and declaration requirements,' said Acting Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). 'We applaud the efforts of the various federal and state law enforcement entities in investigating and prosecuting this case.' 'The scale of this investigation underscores the critical importance of protecting our natural resources,' said Assistant Director Douglas Ault of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Office of Law Enforcement. 'Waldrop's collection included thousands of bird specimens and eggs, many of which are among the rarest in the world. This is one of the largest bird trafficking cases in history, and the commercialization of species protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and CITES highlights the conservation impact of Waldrop's crimes. We at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement are unwavering in our commitment to safeguarding wildlife for future generations. We will remain vigilant and will continue to hold accountable those who exploit our shared natural resources for personal gain.' Between 2016 and 2020, Waldrop imported birds and eggs without the required declarations and permits. After USFWS inspectors at John F. Kennedy International Airport and elsewhere intercepted several shipments, Waldrop recruited Jones, who worked on his Georgia farm, to receive the packages. Jones also deposited approximately $525,000 in a bank account that Waldrop then used to pay for the imports and hide his involvement. Waldrop and Jones used online sales sites such as eBay and Etsy to buy birds and eggs from around the world, including Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Lithuania, Malta, Russia, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Uruguay. Waldrop forfeited his collection. The USFWS National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Lab examined the items and determined it to be the largest seizure of bird mounts in their 37-year history. The ESA requires that all wildlife imports be declared to USFWS and have required permits, including species protected by CITES. According to court documents and statements made in court, Waldrop amassed an extensive collection of 1,401 taxidermy bird mounts and 2,594 eggs which included: Four eagles protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, 179 bird and 193 egg species listed in the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and 212 bird and 32 egg species covered by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This included incredibly rare specimens like three eggs of the Nordmann's Greenshank, an Asian shorebird with only 900 to 1,600 remaining birds in the wild; no North American museum has any Nordmann Greenshank eggs in their collection. The USFWS Office of Law Enforcement in Valley Stream, New York, conducted the investigation as part of Operation Final Flight. The operation focused on the trafficking of protected birds into the United States. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources assisted with the investigation. Senior Trial Attorney Ryan Connors of ENRD's Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Karamigios for the Eastern District of New York prosecuted the case. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Yahoo
GA man sentenced in largest-ever bird mount trafficking case
WASHINGTON, D.C. (WSAV) — Wednesday, a federal judge in Brooklyn, N.Y., sentenced two men for trafficking protected birds and eggs into the United States in violation of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Dr. John Waldrop of Cataula, Georgia, was ordered to pay a $900,000 fine — one of the largest-ever for an ESA case — and serve three years of probation. Toney Jones of Eufala, Alabama, was sentenced to six months of probation. Waldrop pleaded guilty in August 2024 to conspiracy to smuggle wildlife and ESA violations, while Jones pleaded guilty to an ESA charge. According to court documents and statements made in court, Waldrop amassed an extensive collection of 1,401 taxidermy bird mounts and 2,594 eggs which included: Four eagles protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, 179 bird and 193 egg species listed in the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and 212 bird and 32 egg species covered by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This included incredibly rare specimens like three eggs of the Nordmann's Greenshank, an Asian shorebird with only 900 to 1,600 remaining birds in the wild; no North American museum has any Nordmann Greenshank eggs in their collection. Waldrop forfeited his collection. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Lab examined the items and determined it to be the largest seizure of bird mounts in their 37-year history. The ESA requires that all wildlife imports be declared to USFWS and have required permits, including species protected by CITES. The USFWS Office of Law Enforcement in Valley Stream, New York, conducted the investigation as part of Operation Final Flight. The operation focused on the trafficking of protected birds into the United States. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources assisted with the investigation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
