Two guilty in turtle trafficking case

Both await sentencing for selling baby turtles at EP reptile show 3 years ago





By ANDY KRAVETZ

of the Journal Star

Posted Aug 07, 2008 @ 09:12 PM

PEORIA —

A federal jury took about three hours Wednesday night to find two men guilty of selling undersized baby turtles at an East Peoria reptile show three years ago.



Jason Johnson, 32, of Peoria and Keith Cantore, 28, address unknown, were both convicted of selling or offering to sell undersized turtles at one of the events during the summer of 2005. However, Cantore's charge was a felony as prosecutors linked him to more than 300 turtles, while Johnson's charge is a misdemeanor.



When sentenced in November, Cantore, who is being held on an unrelated weapons charge, faces up to five years in prison while Johnson faces up to one year behind bars.



It could have been worse, though. U.S. District Judge Joe McDade granted a motion by Johnson's attorney, Spencer Daniels of Peoria, and Cantore's attorney, Bruce Brandwein of Chicago, to throw out a more serious conspiracy charge. The judge noted he found no evidence the two were working together and, rather, agreed with the defense that nothing had been shown during two days of testimony that resembled a conspiracy.



The charges arose out of an investigation launched by state and federal officials into four shows at the East Peoria Convention Center. Organized by Johnson, prosecutors showed video and used testimony from undercover officers who said they saw dozens of undersized turtles offered for sale.



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 turtles less than 4 inches in size.



However, the law does allow the sale of such turtles for educational, scientific or expositional uses. The defense argued their clients didn't sell them for pets and rather, had people sign a piece of paper stating the turtles were for the allowed uses.



But prosecutors pointed to testimony from the undercover officers who testified they specifically asked about having the turtles for pets and both men were fine with that.







Andy Kravetz can be reached at 686-3283 or akravetz@pjstar.com.





Comments (6)

Debbie Downer4 days agoReport Abuse

wow

gypsydayne4 days agoReport Abuse

As a turtle keeper, I don't understand why all of this money was wasted on these 2 guys. For one, the law is stupid. It was put into place because parents were letting their kids put turtles in their mouths so the kids were getting sick. It was put into place to take the place of parenting. The tax payers are going to pay to put these men on trial & keep them in jail for however long over selling of baby turtles???????? OMG!

Rexster4 days agoReport Abuse

Only one thing worse than short people.



And that is, the tamarity of the testimony of two turtle trafficers.



I should know. I was once an undercover undersized turtle trafficing officer.

alwaysyoung4 days agoReport Abuse

Rexter, if you have nothing sensible to say, just keep your mouth (fingers?) shut. Or at least learn to spell!

Rexster3 days agoReport Abuse

One more comment like that, AlwaysCrabby and I root for China in the Olympics.



One more!

The Cringe2 days agoReport Abuse

I'll rest soundly tonight, secure in the knowledge that these hard-core, undersized turtle traffickers have been convicted. Great job FedBoys. Nice to know our taxes are being spent wisely.



No, seriously . . . this is a joke, right? They didn't really just have a trial in Peoria's Federal Court about undersized turtles, did they?

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