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WASHINGTON, D.C. - Kevin M. McMaster-formerly of Port St. Lucie, Florida-pleaded guilty in federal court on Thursday to selling and offering to sell in interstate commerce more than $200,000 worth of endangered species in violation of the Lacey Act and the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
According to the information and an oral statement of facts provided to the court, during 2003 and 2004, McMaster offered for sale or sold in interstate commerce more than $200,000 worth of endangered species including tiger, snow leopard and jaguar skins as well as a gorilla skull and baby tiger mounts. The investigation began in November 2003 after a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agent received an unsolicited e-mail message from McMaster offering "cat skins" for sale. The agent eventually purchased tiger, snow leopard and two leopard skins from the defendant. A search conducted at McMaster's home in Florida on Dec. 15, 2004 revealed evidence of additional offers and sales of endangered species which were made by McMaster and charged in the information.
"Internet sales of endangered species are a growing source of illegal trade in protected wildlife," said David M. Uhlmann, chief of the Environmental Crimes Section of the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division. "This prosecution underscores our commitment to put a stop to this new wave of illegal activity, and to do our part to prevent trafficking of rare and endangered wildlife."
McMaster-former operator of a website known as deadzoo.com and Exotic & Unique Gifts, a Port St. Lucie business- was charged by criminal information on Dec. 22 with two felony Lacey Act violations and two misdemeanor ESA violations. The Lacey Act prohibits the transportation of endangered and threatened wildlife that was knowingly sold in violation of any federal wildlife-related regulation or law, and the charge carries a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000. Under the ESA it unlawful to offer for sale or to sell in interstate commerce any endangered species of wildlife, and the charge carries a maximum penalty of one year imprisonment and a fine of $100,000.
McMaster, who waived prosecution by indictment, is scheduled to be sentenced on April 7 in Fort Pierce. 1-30-06
© 2005 North
Country Gazette
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