Texas Biologist Convicted of Wildlife Trafficking
A Texas biologist was sentenced to six months in prison and a $5,000 fine for the illegal import of protected wildlife.
Six Months in Prison
A federal judge in Amarillo sentenced Dr. Richard Kazmaier, 55, in January 2023 to six months in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $5,000.
Kazmaier pleaded guilty on 19 August 2022 to a felony under the Lacey Act for having imported protected wildlife into the United States without declaring them or obtaining the required permits.
358 Wildlife Items Purchased via eBay
Kazmaier admitted to having imported wildlife from Bulgaria, China, Indonesia, Canada, Latvia, Norway, Russia, South Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Uruguay into Texas between March 2013 and February 2020. He purchased primarily skulls, skeletons, and taxidermy specimens with a total market value of $14,423.
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) regulates trade in endangered or threatened species. Kazmaier admitted to having imported 14 protected species without permits, including the European otter, the lynx, the caracal, and the bird-of-paradise. More on the topic of crime and hunting as well as species protection.
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