JOURNAL STAR (Peoria, Illinois) 05 August 08 Trial begins for pair accused of selling undersized turtles

Peoria: Testimony got under way today in the federal trial of two men accused of selling undersized turtles at an East Peoria reptile show three years ago.

Jason Johnson, 32, of Peoria and Keith Cantore, 28, stand charged with conspiracy to sell the terrapins as well as one count of actually selling an undersized turtle at one of the events during the summer of 2005.

Both men face up to 10 years in prison if convicted of all counts.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jerry Brost and Brad Murphy contended at trial that Johnson organized the Midwest Reptile Expo and held four events in 2005 at the East Peoria Convention Center. It was at these events, the government alleges, that both men sold the illegal turtles.

For years, little turtles were commonly sold as pets. But they tended to carry salmonella, a dangerous bacteria, and young children would get sick after they put the turtles into their mouths. So in the early 1970s, the federal government banned the sale of the turtles less than 4 inches in size.

Testimony from two state conservation officers indicated they bought turtles at the show that were less than 4 inches. They testified they bought alligators as well.

Johnson's attorney, Spencer Daniels of Peoria, contends, as does Cantore's attorney Bruce Brandwein of Chicago, that the law allows the sale of the baby turtles for educational, scientific or expositional uses. Give those exceptions, it appears the men contend they weren't in violation of the federal statute.

The trial continues Wednesday.
Trial begins for pair accused of selling undersized turtles

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