Importance Score: 45 / 100 🔵
South Carolina Man Pleads Guilty to Illegal Sperm Whale Parts Import Scheme
A South Carolina resident has admitted guilt in federal court to illegally importing sperm whale teeth and bones from multiple nations and subsequently selling them within the United States, according to statements from federal prosecutors. This case highlights ongoing efforts to combat illegal wildlife trafficking.
Lacey Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act Violations
Lauren H. DeLoach, 69, from St. Helena Island, South Carolina, entered a guilty plea to charges related to the Lacey Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. These charges stem from his involvement in the import and sale of sperm whale components, as confirmed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina. The prosecution underscores the severity of these federal statutes in protecting endangered species.
Illegal Shipments and eBay Sales
DeLoach confessed to importing sperm whale teeth and bones into South Carolina over a period spanning from July 2022 to September 2024. Court records and courtroom declarations reveal that this included a minimum of 30 shipments originating from Australia, Latvia, Norway, and Ukraine.
Prosecutors stated that DeLoach reportedly sold at least 85 items via eBay, accumulating over $18,000 in sales. He purportedly mislabeled these items as “plastic” to circumvent scrutiny from U.S. customs authorities.
Confiscation of Sperm Whale Parts
During a search of DeLoach’s residence, authorities reportedly confiscated sperm whale parts valued at approximately $20,000.
vCard.red is a free platform for creating a mobile-friendly digital business cards. You can easily create a vCard and generate a QR code for it, allowing others to scan and save your contact details instantly.
The platform allows you to display contact information, social media links, services, and products all in one shareable link. Optional features include appointment scheduling, WhatsApp-based storefronts, media galleries, and custom design options.
The precise origins of these items and the identities of DeLoach’s buyers remain unclear. Prosecutors noted that sperm whale teeth and bones are highly sought after for decorative purposes and artistic applications, including engravings and carvings.
Sperm Whale Protection and Conservation
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, sperm whales, recognized as the largest toothed whale species, inhabit all deep ocean regions, ranging from the Equator to the polar ice edges in the Arctic and Antarctic. The agency further stated that females can reach lengths up to 40 feet, while males can grow to 52 feet.
Sperm whales have been under the protection of the Endangered Species Act since 1970 and are also protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Prosecutors explained that the Lacey Act specifically prohibits the sale of any wildlife illegally imported into the country.
Brook B. Andrews, the acting U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina, stated, “Illegal wildlife trafficking represents a global multibillion-dollar industry that not only jeopardizes endangered animals but also promotes organized crime.” He added, “We are committed to rigorously enforcing both the Lacey Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act to prevent the killing and trafficking of vulnerable species such as sperm whales for their parts.”
Legal Ramifications
In a Sunday statement, Nathan S. Williams, legal counsel for DeLoach, conveyed that his client “regrets his actions and has taken accountability for them.”
DeLoach could face a maximum of five years imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000 for the felony Lacey Act charge. Additionally, the misdemeanor Marine Mammal Protection Act violation carries a potential sentence of up to one year in prison.
Recent Case of Wildlife Crime
This legal action represents a recent instance in cases involving protected wildlife.
In a separate incident in February, a couple in California reached a plea agreement in Butte County for infractions of state fish and game regulations. This occurred after wildlife officers overheard them boasting on a plane about illegally hunting a mountain lion in the past and attempting to smuggle an endangered turtle skull in their carry-on luggage, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.