Hogansburg, New York - Woman pled guilty to participating in a conspiracy in 2009 and 2010 to smuggle over 18,000 endangered and threatened reptiles from the United States into Canada.

Richard S. Hartunian, United States Attorney for the Northern District of New York, announced today that Olivia Terrance, 28, of Hogansburg, New York, pled guilty to participating in a conspiracy in 2009 and 2010 to smuggle over 18,000 endangered and threatened reptiles from the United States into Canada, in violation of Title 18 United States Code section 371. The Honorable Judge Norman A. Mordue sentenced Terrance to 18 months in jail to be followed by 3 years of supervised release.

Terrance smuggled turtles and reptiles worth hundreds of thousands of dollars into Canada where they were sold to retailers and collectors. She was caught when law enforcement followed her by car and helicopter after she received a shipment of wildlife and transported it by boat into Canada.

This case was investigated by Special Agents of the United States Fish & Wildlife Service, with assistance from the Department of Homeland Security, the Canadian Wildlife Service, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Canada Border Services Agency, and the Mohawk Nation Tribal Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Craig A. Benedict. Questions may be directed to AUSA Benedict at 315-448-0726 or cell phone at 315-391-1110.