A Massachusetts man was sentenced in federal court last week after trafficking in the remains of numerous endangered species.
Adam Bied, 40, faces eight months in prison, two years of supervised release and a $75,000 fine for buying, selling and trading in the remains of threatened and critically endangered animals like orangutans and Javan leopards, according to a press release issued Thursday by the Department of Justice.
“In their quest for quick profit, wildlife smugglers push critically endangered animals toward the edge of extinction and undermine global conservation efforts,” Doug Ault, assistant director of the Fish and Wildlife Service’s Office of Law Enforcement, said in a statement. “Halting this illegal trade remains one of our highest priorities and together with the Department of Justice, we will bring those responsible to justice.”
In January, Bied pleaded guilty to multiple counts of conspiracy to smuggle animal remains into the country and to violating the Lacey Act, which outlaws wildlife trafficking. The animals he trafficked were also protected under the Endangered Species Act and Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, DOJ said. He declared none of them, in violation of the law, the department said.
