BROOKLYN, NY—A New York resident faces federal charges for his role in the illegal wildlife trade, accused of shipping protected turtles from the United States to China. Russell Milis, 26, of Brooklyn, was indicted today on two counts of smuggling goods from the United States and one count of violating the Lacey Act.
Between November 2019 and November 2020, Milis allegedly exported eastern box turtles and three-toed box turtles without proper licenses or declarations required by the Endangered Species Act. Both turtle species are safeguarded under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). According to the indictment, Milis did not obtain the necessary CITES permits for the shipments to Asia.
Furthermore, the indictment accuses Milis of mislabeling the packages containing the turtles, a violation of the Lacey Act, which prohibits shipping wildlife without accurate content descriptions. The eastern box turtle and the three-toed box turtle, native to various parts of the United States, are highly valued in the pet trade, particularly in China and Hong Kong.
If convicted, Milis could face up to 10 years in prison for each smuggling charge and up to five years for the Lacey Act violation. Fines could amount to $250,000 or twice the financial gain from his alleged crimes. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge, considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, supported by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, conducted the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division, with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.
