New York Man Sentenced for Smuggling Thousands of Butterflies
A New York man is facing stiff penalties after he was caught smuggling thousands of endangered butterflies into the United States.
If the crime itself wasn't enough, what the convicted smuggler allegedly said about the United States Fish and Wildlife Service has led to some well-deserved gloating by the USFWS on social media.
New York Insect Trafficker Allegedly Said "Screw the USFWS"
"'Screw USFWS' - wildlife trafficker's famous last words", began a recent USFWS Facebook post sharing the news of Charles Limmer's sentencing. The USFWS went on to detail the great lengths Limmer reportedly went to import hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of protected insects.
Endangered Butterflies Trafficked in New York State
Among the animals found in Limmer's possession were nearly 2,500 birdwing butterflies (above), an endangered butterfly from the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific. The USFWS shared that Limmer and his co-conspirators falsely labeled containers that secretly held the insects:
To acquire his insect inventory, Limmer directed his overseas co-conspirators to falsely label imported insect and butterfly shipments as decorative wall coverings, origami paper craft and wall decorations. Knowing that some of his parcels could be inspected by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wildlife inspectors, Limmer stated to one co-conspirator, “Screw USFWS.”
Sentence for Convicted Insect Smuggler in New York
Limmer's 2025 conviction ultimately carried a sentence of two years of home confinement, over $5,000 in fines, and "the forfeiture of more than 17,000 butterflies and other insects and $30,000 in illegal proceeds from his smuggling and sales crimes".
From exotic imported animals to backyard deer, officials remind New York residents that it is never legal to take, relocate, or sell animals without proper permits.
300 of these Majestic White Deer Live in Upstate NY!
Deer With Genetic Anomilies
Gallery Credit: Tad Pole
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