Target: George Gascón, District Attorney of Los Angeles County
Goal: Punish California man who reportedly smuggled over 1,700 wild animals to the fullest extent of the law.
A California man who reportedly smuggled over 1,700 wild animals into the U.S. has just pleaded guilty to federal charges. Jose Manuel Perez apparently smuggled these animals–including 60 reptiles, 3 of which died in transit–in his clothing, pants, and tight, plastic bags. Law enforcement officials estimated that the smuggled wildlife has a market value of more than $739,000.
The exotic pet trade industry is particularly cruel, as animals can be transported for days without any access to food or water. The rampant poaching of animals, which are often captured from their natural habitats and sold as exotic pets, has devastating effects on wild animal populations and ecosystems more generally. Those involved do not care about the wellbeing of the animals they are selling, only the profit that can be made.
Perez can face up to 20 years in prison for each of his two smuggling counts, and additional time for an animal trafficking charge. Sign this petition to demand Mr. Perez receives maximum punishment.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear District Attorney Gascón,
A California resident, Jose Manuel Perez, has recently been charged for illegally smuggling over 1,700 wild animals–60 of which were reptiles, including Yucatan box turtles, Mexican box turtles, baby crocodiles, and Mexican beaded lizards. Perez reportedly transported these animals from Mexico and Hong Kong to the U.S. without the proper permits required under an international treaty on endangered species trade. While crossing into the U.S., Perez apparently hid the animals in his pants, clothing, and cramped plastic bags with little air.
The exotic pet trade, of which Perez and thousands of others are allegedly involved, is a terrible industry, and has devastating effects on wild animal populations. Not to mention smuggled animals may be transported for days and across numerous countries, with little to no access to food, water, or proper veterinary care. For every one animal that survives the transit, an estimated three die.
Now faced with two smuggling counts and one animal trafficking charge, Perez can face upwards of 20 years in federal prison for his crimes. We are asking you, Mr. Gascón, to demand Jose Manuel Perez be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law for his apparent transgressions. Trafficking animals is never okay.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Amy Enchelmeyer
Trafficking of children, humans, and various species should not be tolerated. A twenty year sentence is a start.
In order to example these attempts will demand a huge bite out of the perpetrators life will hopefully derail the same attempt by others.
They man needs to face the full power of the law. He smuggles them into this country and we must return them. Court is costly, returning is costly, and all for the money he would have made off this trafficking event.He needs to see breaking the law involves more than he is deserving of as he is a criminal.
If the Law speaks loudly, criminals will listen or face the same demise.
I’d like to shove this asshole in a bag and tie it up and throw him in the Hudson River for what he did but I can’t but I know that he should be punished to the full extent I say throw him in jail and forget where the key is.