Bean Town Times

A Reading, Massachusetts man has been charged with allegedly trafficking in wildlife parts from endangered and protected species.

Adam Bied, 39, faces two counts of conspiracy to smuggle goods into the United States, specifically illegally imported wildlife parts, and three counts of violating the Lacey Act, which prohibits trafficking in wildlife. The charges allege that the wildlife was protected by the Endangered Species Act (ESA) as well as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

“The illicit trafficking of endangered wildlife for financial gain is a grave offense that poses a significant threat to global conservation efforts and preservation of these species. Mr. Bied’s alleged conduct reflects a blatant disregard for the laws in place to safeguard our planet’s biodiversity,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “These laws and international treaties exist to protect endangered species from exploitation and to maintain ecological balance.”

“In addition to the criminal charges, our office is seeking to forfeit the hundreds of animal parts seized from Mr. Bied’s home and a storage unit, including orangutan skulls, tiger skulls, and jaguar skins. This forfeiture action sends a clear message that we will not only prosecute those who engage in illegal wildlife trafficking but also take legal actions to strip them of their ill-gotten gains,” Levy added.

According to court filings, beginning at least from January 2018 until June 2021, Bied bought, sold, and traded in wildlife parts and products with knowledge that many transactions were in violation of U.S. laws and regulations. He allegedly failed to declare this wildlife upon importation into the United States.

Specifically, Bied allegedly placed orders with individuals in Cameroon and Indonesia who were involved in acquiring wildlife—including endangered and protected species—which he then resold or traded to customers in the United States without possessing a United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) import/export license or necessary CITES permits.

The United States Attorney’s Office also filed a civil forfeiture complaint seeking to forfeit over 100 wildlife parts from endangered, threatened, or protected species seized by USFWS in July 2021 from Bied’s residence, storage unit, and vehicle. As alleged in the civil forfeiture complaint, many of the seized items required a CITES permit or USFWS declaration for lawful importation.

The identified wildlife parts include:

- Orangutan skulls

- Tiger skulls

- Leopard skin, skulls, and claws

- Jaguar skin and skull

- African lion skulls

- Polar bear skull

- Narwhal tusk

- Otter skeleton

- Harp seal skull

- South American fur seal skull

- Elephant seal skull

- Babirusa skulls

- Mandrillus skulls

- Wallaby skull

- Jackal skull

Federal statutes such as ESA, Lacey Act, CITES regulations prohibit international trade in vulnerable wildlife species' live specimens as well as their skins or parts. Legal importation requires specific permits including CITES permits for vulnerable species and USFWS declarations for any foreign species intended for commercial purposes.

The charges each provide for up to five years imprisonment per count along with supervised release terms up to three years and fines reaching $250,000.

Acting U.S. Attorney Levy along with Ryan Noel from USFWS made today's announcement noting collaboration between several federal agencies including U.S Marshals Service alongside DOJ's Environmental Crimes Section under Environment & Natural Resources Division contributed towards case development where Assistant U.S Attorneys Nadine Pellegrini handles prosecution while Carol E Head leads asset recovery proceedings related towards civil forfeitures involved within this matter highlighting all details mentioned remain allegations pending judicial determination affirming defendant remains innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt requiring preponderance evidence establishment regarding contested wild-life part forfeitures under applicable federal law provisions governing respective offenses accordingly stated therein.