New Jersey Man Charged with Lacey Act Violations

U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that ROBERT GLENN HENNESSY, age 65, a resident of Bayonne, New Jersey, was charged in a four count indictment with violating the Lacey Act.

According to the indictment, on four occasions between March 18, 2016 and June 14, 2017, ROBERT GLENN HENNESSY, did knowingly import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, and purchase in interstate commerce Louisiana box turtles having a value in excess of $350.00 knowing that the turtles were taken, possessed, transported, and sold in violation of and in a manner unlawful under Louisiana law.  Louisiana law requires that all persons engaged in the sale of native reptiles and amphibians collected in Louisiana must possess a license, and that all persons taking reptiles or amphibians, whether recreationally or commercially, and persons involved in the reptile and amphibian industry, including wholesale/retail dealers and transporters be licensed.  As regards box turtles, Louisiana law states that no box turtles, box turtle eggs or parts shall be sold, traded or otherwise entered into commerce, and there shall be no taking of wild box turtles for commercial purposes. 

If convicted, ROBERT GLENN HENNESSY faces a maximum penalty per count of not more than 5 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and three years supervised release after imprisonment.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and United States Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, in investigating this matter.   He also thanked the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey for their assistance. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily K. Greenfield and Jon Maestri.