Man Admits To Selling Threatened Turtles, Shipping Them Tied In Socks
NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A Jersey City man admitted Tuesday that he kept turtles considered threatened under state law at his home, and shipped them to buyers by tying the animals live in tube socks and packing them in boxes.
Patrick Elfers, 48, pleaded guilty Tuesday to conspiring to traffic the threatened species, according to the U.S. Attorney's office. He faces up to five years in prison at his Sept. 29 sentencing.
Elfers admitted that from December 2011 through March 2014, he had various species, including spotted turtles, North American wood turtles and Eastern box turtles without the required permit.
He advertised on wildlife trade websites and shipped turtles to buyers in New York state by tying them to restrict their movements and putting them in boxes unsuitable for the shipment of live animals.
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