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Date: 05-27-2021
Case Style:
Case Number: 2:20-cr-00384-RJS-DAO
Judge: Robert J. Shelby
Court: United States District Court for the District of Utah (Salt Lake County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: United States District Attorney’s Office
Defendant's Attorney:
Description: Salt Lake City, Utah Lacey and Endangered Species Act violation charges criminal defense lawyer represented Jean-Michel Arrigona, 58, of Midvale, who was charged with unlawfully importing wildlife into the United States and reselling it from the Natur store in Midvale, which he owns. Arrigona admitted that he imported approximately 1,500 wildlife items from 2015 to 2020. He only declared three of the packages, as required, to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or customs authorities. Arrigona resold the wildlife online and at Natur. The wildlife, primarily from Indonesia, consisted of taxidermy mounts and bones of bats, flying foxes, frogs, starfish, insects, rodents, and lizards. Some of the wildlife, such as the flying fox (Pteropus sp.) and monitor lizard (Varanus sp.) are protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which regulates trade in endangered or threatened species through permit requirements. The United States, Indonesia, and 181 other countries are signatories to the CITES treaty.
Arrigona pleaded guilty to a felony Lacey Act trafficking charge, and Natur pleaded to one misdemeanor violation of the Endangered Species Act. U.S. District Judge Robert J. Shelby will determine the defendants’ sentence at an Aug. 4 hearing. Arrigona and Natur have agreed to pay at least $23,101 and $5,000 in fines, respectively. The maximum sentence for Arrigona under the Lacey Act is five years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. The Endangered Species Act carries a maximum corporate sentence of five years’ probation and a $25,000 fine.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Office of Law Enforcement in Redmond, Washington, conducted the investigation as part of Operation Global Reach. The operation focused on the trafficking of wildlife from Indonesia to the United States.
Trial Attorney Ryan Connors of the Justice Department’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Melina Shiraldi of the U.S. Attorney Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case.
16:3372(a)(1) & 3373(d)(1)(B) PROHIBITED ACTS, OTHER THAN MARKING OFFENSE - Lacey Act Trafficking
(1)
16:3372(a)(1) & 3373(d)(1)(B) PROHIBITED ACTS, OTHER THAN MARKING OFFENSE - Lacey Act Trafficking
(2)
16:1538(c), (e) & 1540(b)(1) and C.F.R. 13.48, 14.52, & 14.61 PROHIBITED ACTS - ENDANGERED SPECIES - Endangered Species Act; 18:981(a)(1)(C) and 28:2461(c) NOTICE OF FORFEITURE
(3)
Outcome: 05/26/2021 28 Minute Entry for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge Cecilia M. Romero: Change of Plea Hearing as to Jean-Michel Arrigona, Natur, Inc. held on 5/26/2021. All parties appear via zoom. Defendant appears via zoom not in custody. Defendant also appears as a representative for Natur, Inc. Defendant advised of his right to be physically present in court for this hearing. Defendant stated, in consultation with his lawyer, that he knowingly, voluntarily, and expressly waived his right to be physically present and that the hearing may be conducted by video conference. Consent to Plea Before the Magistrate Judge reviewed and accepted in court. Defendant placed under oath. Defendant answers questions posed by the court. Both Statements in Advance of Plea are reviewed and accepted in court. Defendant Arrigona enters a plea of GUILTY to Count 1 of the Indictment. Defendant Arrigona, as a representative of Natur, Inc. enters a plea of GUILTY to Count 3 of the Indictment. Court makes findings and accepts both Defendants pleas of Guilty. Court orders Defendant to remain on release. Presentence Report ordered: Yes.
Sentencing set for 8/4/2021 at 03:30 PM in Rm 3.100 before Judge Robert J. Shelby.
Attorney for Plaintiff: Ryan Connors, Attorney for Defendant: Skye Lazaro and Garrett Messerly, Retained. Probation Officer: Jennifer Gaston. Court Reporter: Zoom/Teena Green.(Time Start: 1:32 PM, Time End: 2:03 PM, Room Zoom 8.400.) (mas) (Entered: 05/26/2021)
05/26/2021 29 ORDER OF REFERENCE Under 636 (b)(3) and CONSENT TO ENTRY OF PLEA before Magistrate Judge Cecilia M. Romero as to Jean-Michel Arrigona, Natur, Inc.. Signed by Judge Robert J. Shelby on 5/21/2021.(mas) (Entered: 05/26/2021)
05/26/2021 30 STATEMENT IN ADVANCE OF PLEA as to Jean-Michel Arrigona (mas) (Entered: 05/26/2021)
Defendant pleaded guilty.
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments: