Turtle Smuggler Gets Sentenced
Man pleads guilty to smuggling endangered turtles into JFK
A turtle smuggler gave up the shell game on Monday.
Hsien Lin Hsu pleaded guilty in Brooklyn Federal Court to the illegal importation of endangered turtles.
Authorities got wise to the exotic animals when intercepting packages at JFK Airport from Hong Kong over several days in May.
Though the mailing labels said the five packages had "snacks," underneath the noodles and candy were 42 turtles.
The packages were addressed to Hsu's Oakland Gardens residence.
When carrying out a search warrant, authorities found 135 live turtles at his place.
According to court papers, Hsu, who also went by Jason Hsu, told agents he had agreed with people in Hong Kong to trade protected turtles.
Authorities said some of the turtles Hsu brought in included Indian Roofed Turtles, Chinese Big-Headed Turtles, Yellow-margined Chinese Box turtles and Black-breasted Leaf Turtles.
On Monday, Hsu, 46, pleaded to illegal importation of wildlife before Judge William Kuntz, II. Hsu faces a minimum of no time, but up to 20 years maximum.
Hsu's attorney, John Wallenstein, said his client felt "very bad when the turtles were confiscated," noting Hsu was a collector and breeder. “But unfortunately, he ran afoul of the law and here we are."
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