Current:Home > FinanceRare birdwing butterflies star in federal case against NY man accused of trafficking insects-LoTradeCoin
Rare birdwing butterflies star in federal case against NY man accused of trafficking insects
View Date:2024-12-23 23:38:08
NEW YORK (AP) — Birdwing butterflies are among the rarest and largest to grace the planet, their 10-inch wingspans flapping through the rainforests of Southeast Asia and Australia. Their sheer size can make them hard to miss.
But the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Brooklyn says Charles Limmer made tens of thousands of dollars over the past year by illegally trafficking scores of flying insects, including endangered birdwings — whose numbers have fallen because of diminishing habitat and illegal poaching.
The six-count indictment against Limmer, 75, accuses him of working with overseas collaborators to smuggle some 1,000 lepidoptera, including some of the rarest and most endangered moths and butterflies in the world.
Federal authorities in New York say the Long Island man smuggled dried specimens of the species, circumventing U.S. laws by labeling shipments as “decorative wall coverings,” “origami paper craft” and “wall decorations.”
Attempts to reach Limmer by phone and email were unsuccessful.
Federal law prohibits the commercial export or import of wildlife without permission from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Additional authorization would need to be secured for endangered species, as part of an international partnership to protect wildlife from trafficking.
Limmer previously had a federal license to import and export wildlife, but it was suspended in October 2022.
Since then, the indictment alleges, Limmer illegally imported and exported more than $200,000 worth of shipments.
An eBay page of a seller going by “limmerleps” shows the account had made more than 4,600 sales on the shopping platform, many of the most recent sales were moths and butterflies. There were two birdwing specimens currently on sale and two were sold over the past year, according to the website.
An Etsy page connected to a seller going by the name “Limmer” had four ads for birdwings still advertised on Wednesday, including featuring a collection of five specimens with an asking price of $133.
The indictment also seeks to force Limmer to give up his collection of some 1,000 butterflies, moths and other insects prosecutors say he illegally procured from overseas.
veryGood! (5386)
Related
- Five best fits for Alex Bregman: Will Astros homegrown star leave as free agent?
- These Amazon Top-Rated Fall Wedding Guest Dresses Are All Under $60 Right Now
- Whoa! 'Golden Bachelorette' first impression fails, including that runaway horse
- 'Hero' 12-year-old boy shot and killed bear as it attacked his father in Wisconsin, report says
- How Leonardo DiCaprio Celebrated His 50th Birthday
- A night with Peter Cat Recording Co., the New Delhi band that’s found global appeal
- Human remains are found inside an SUV that officials say caused pipeline fire in suburban Houston
- Pac-12 gutting Mountain West sparks fresh realignment stress at schools outside Power Four
- Rōki Sasaki is coming to MLB: Dodgers the favorite to sign Japanese ace for cheap?
- Highway crash injures 8 Southern California firefighters
Ranking
- GM recalling big pickups and SUVs because the rear wheels can lock up, increasing risk of a crash
- Dallas pastor removed indefinitely due to 'inappropriate relationship' with woman, church says
- Takeaways from AP report on risks of rising heat for high school football players
- US troops finish deployment to remote Alaska island amid spike in Russian military activity
- New Yorkers vent their feelings over the election and the Knicks via subway tunnel sticky notes
- Wheel of Fortune Contestants' Bad Luck Curse Shocked Even Ryan Seacrest
- These Amazon Top-Rated Fall Wedding Guest Dresses Are All Under $60 Right Now
- M&M's announces Peanut butter & jelly flavor. Here's what you need to know.
Recommendation
-
Republican David Schweikert wins reelection in affluent Arizona congressional district
-
Joel Embiid signs a 3-year, $193 million contract extension with the 76ers
-
Yankee Candle Doorbuster Sale: Save 40% on Almost Everything — Candles, ScentPlug, Holiday Gifts & More
-
Western nations were desperate for Korean babies. Now many adoptees believe they were stolen
-
All the Ways Megan Fox Hinted at Her Pregnancy With Machine Gun Kelly
-
North Carolina judge won’t prevent use of university digital IDs for voting
-
Wisconsin officials ask state Supreme Court to decide if RFK Jr. stays on ballot
-
Weasley Twins James Phelps and Oliver Phelps Return to Harry Potter Universe in New Series