| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 27, 2009 WWW.USDOJ.GOV/USAO/CAN |
SAN FRANCISCO – A Santa Rosa woman was indicted yesterday for her involvement in the illegal trade of endangered sea turtle parts, United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello announced.
According to the indictment, from 2005 to 2007 Qing Song, 54, brought Hawksbill Sea Turtle shell parts into the United States from China in the form of guitar picks or raw shell that could be used to make guitar picks. Song then sold these guitar picks and parts to buyers in the United States.
The Indictment sets out three instances involving either the sale or possession of guitar picks. In Counts One and Two, Song is alleged to have sold guitar picks made from the shell of Hawksbill Sea Turtles, in violation of the Lacey Act, 16 U.S.C. § 3372 & 3373, a statute prohibiting the illegal trade in wildlife. Because the value of the picks in Count One was less than $350, Count One is a misdemeanor; Count Two is a felony. Count Three of the Indictment charges Song with a violation of the Endangered Species Act, in violation of 16 U.S.C. § 1538, a misdemeanor, for the illegal possession of 899 guitar picks made from the shell of Hawksbill Sea Turtles.
Hawksbill Sea Turtles are one of seven distinct species of sea turtles that have been identified and are listed as endangered either under the Endangered Species Act and/or the international treaty CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). It is unlawful to engage in trade in wildlife that is protected as endangered by either of these statutes unless a valid export and import permit is obtained and the trade is for non-commercial reasons, such as scientific research.
Song is scheduled to appear in front of the duty magistrate judge at 9:30 a.m. on April 14. She faces a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment, a $200,000 fine and 3 years of supervised release for the felony charged; and a $100,000 fine, 1 year imprisonment and 1 year of supervised release for each of the misdemeanors charged.
Stacey Geis is the Assistant U.S. Attorney who is prosecuting the case with the assistance of legal assistant Rayneisha Booth. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, Office of Law Enforcement.
Please note, an indictment contains only allegations against an individual and, as with all defendants, Ms. Song must be presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Further Information:
Case #: CR 09-0324 CRB
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