Twelve people from all over southern California and Nevada were charged with selling endangered species and other wildlife online. Federal and local agents from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service as well as the California Department of Fish and Game teamed up on a project that began last July and ultimately recovered live endangered fish, protected species of migratory birds, tiger pelts, an elephant foot, a live polar bear, and a leopard from people who were trying to sell them illegally on the web. The animals were being sold for prices ranging from several hundred dollars to $10,000. In the United States, it is illegal to buy or sell animals that are considered endangered or are protected by law. Being convicted of the sale of an illegal species of wildlife is a misdemeanor criminal offense that carries a penalty of up to one year in jail. Though investigators and law enforcement agents arrested a dozen people, none of them were working together in any capacity. According to reports from the International Fund for Animal Welfare, roughly 70% of illegal animal sales worldwide actually occur in the United States.

If you have been charged with a criminal offense such as selling illegal merchandise online, find an experienced and skilled Los Angeles Federal Criminal Defense Attorney right away--especially before you talk to law enforcement agents about your case. Your Los Angeles Federal Criminal Defense Attorney can tell you that, by law, anything you say to investigators or police officers will be used as evidence against you if your case goes to court. Because of that, speaking to a Los Angeles Federal Criminal Defense Attorney first for advice and guidance is absolutely essential to winning your case. You do not have to give law enforcement officials any information. Laws in place since our nation first came to be protect us from intimidation by police and from incriminating ourselves in criminal matters. At Kestenbaum, Eisner & Gorin, LLP, our attorneys know how to build a solid and aggressive defense for you because they have a collective five decades of experience in defending people from criminal charges of all types. In addition, our attorneys are also licensed and properly qualified to represent people in federal court. If you are facing federal criminal charges, your Los Angeles Federal Criminal Defense Attorney must be familiar with federal laws and courtroom procedures, which can vary widely from state and local laws and customs. Call the offices of Kestenbaum, Eisner & Gorin, LLP today at 1-877-781-1570 to speak to an experienced and qualified Los Angeles Federal Criminal Defense Attorney about your case today.