United States Attorney
Northern District of Texas

1100 Commerce St., 3rd Fl.
Dallas, Texas 75242-1699

Telephone (214) 659-8600
Fax (214) 767-0978

WILDLIFE REFUGE OWNER CHARGED
WITH FEDERAL WILDLIFE OFFENSES
RELATED TO SELLING ENDANGERED SPECIES

United States Attorney Richard B. Roper announced that a federal grand jury in Amarillo, Texas, has returned a four-count indictment charging Carmel Azzopardi, a/k/a “Charlie Azzopardi,” with various federal crimes involving the sale of clouded leopards, a white tiger cub, Panthera tigers and African lions. Azzopardi is the owner of the Amarillo Wildlife Refuge, and claims on its website that he is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing optimal care and shelter for the wildlife entrusted into his custody and educating the public about these animals.

Azzopardi was arrested in July in Oklahoma on related charges outlined in a federal criminal complaint. The charges were dismissed the following month, on motion of the government stating that more information had come to the attention of the government that would require additional investigation. That additional investigation has resulted in this indictment.

It is anticipated that Azzopardi will surrender to federal officials and have his initial appearance this week before a United States Magistrate Judge in Amarillo.

The indictment alleges that on different occasions in 2004 and 2005, Azzopardi was involved in the sale of two clouded leopards, a white tiger cub, and two Panthera tigers, and knowingly made, or caused someone else to make, a false Animal Plant Health Inspection (APHIS) Form 7020, indicating that the wildlife transactions were donations, when in fact, they were a sale for profit of endangered or threatened species of wildlife which were to be transported from Amarillo to Clinton, Arkansas, California and Iowa.

The indictment further alleges that on July 19, 2005, Azzopardi did sell two clouded leopards and transported them from Amarillo to Clinton, Oklahoma.

An indictment is an accusation by a federal grand jury and a defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty. However, if convicted on all counts of the indictment, Azzopardi faces a maximum statutory sentence of 16 years imprisonment and a $850,000 fine.

United States Attorney Roper praised the investigative efforts of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United State Attorney Vicki Lamberson.

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