Media Contact: Davilyn Walston. Public Information Officercell: (409) 553-9881, Direct: (409) 981-7902,
http://www.justice.gov/usao/txe
June 15, 2011
This news release was issued June 15, 2011, by the office of United States Attorney John M. Bales, Eastern District of Texas.
Three Indicted in Alligator Gar Smuggling Operation
BEAUMONT, Texas – Three men have been indicted by a federal grand jury for smuggling alligator gar in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales today.
Loren Willis, 62, of Eminence, IN, Gerard Longo, 46, of Greenacres, Florida, and Michael Rambarran, 55, of Miami, were charged today with Lacey Act violations, specifically conspiracy to submit a false label for fish transported in interstate commerce, conspiracy to transport fish in interstate commerce in violation of state law or regulation; and conspiracy to transport and sell fish in interstate commerce in violation of state law or regulation.
According to the indictment, on July 26, 2010, the defendants are alleged to have conspired to develop a scheme to transport fish, specifically alligator gar, harvested from the Trinity River in East Texas for the purpose of selling them in Japan.
If convicted, they each face up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $25,000.
This case is being investigated by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department of Special Operations Unit and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Reynaldo P. Morin.
A grand jury indictment is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Three Indicted in Alligator Gar Smuggling Operation
Linear Mode
