PEORIA JOURNAL STAR (Illinois) 24 October 05 DNR nabs turtles in EP - State agency raids reptile sale, alleging violation of federal law (Jennifer Peryam)
East Peoria: What started out as a Halloween bash where reptiles were being sold turned into a raid that resulted in a $75 fine for a vendor and a confiscated turtle.
"I wanted to hold a nice event for kids to get some reptiles at a decent price that they normally can't find in pet shops," said Jason Johnson, promoter of Midwest Reptile Expo Show at the East Peoria Convention Center at The Oaks.
Vendors from Illinois, Chicago and Iowa sold exotic reptiles, such as panther chameleons, albino red tail boas and poison dart frogs, at the bash. Children also dressed up in costumes to celebrate Halloween early.
At 11 a.m., seven undercover men from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources came in and purchased turtles and a grey rat snake. Shortly thereafter, three armed and uniformed DNR officers entered.
"I tried to stop them at the door, but they told me to get out of the way or I would be arrested," Johnson said.
"They were the authority of the day and they had badges and guns so I had no choice but to listen to them."
According to Johnson, the officers said they were going to take turtles because the sale was in violation of a Food and Drug Administration law stating that turtles with a carapace - the bottom of their shell - that is less than four inches are prohibited from general sale. The law has two provisions that states that the turtles can be sold for bona fide educational and scientific purposes and that sales not in connection with a business are not affected by the law.
The vendors at the sale are private breeders and "hobbyists" and therefore should be exempt from the law, Johnson said.
Despite repeated attempts, no one from the DNR could be reached for comment.
"It's not like I'm promoting this show to sell illegal reptiles," Johnson said. "I'm promoting it as a fun kids event," Iowa vendor Flynn Reptile was fined $75 for selling the grey rat snake, Johnson said. He also said turtles from one vendor were confiscated.
"It's so unfortunate that we have a family-oriented event like this to encourage parents and kids, and this happens," said Devon Cady of Cady Reptiles in Peoria. Cady sold lizards, crested geckos and leopard geckos at the event.
"The whole idea of things like this is to educate the public and kids."
DNR nabs turtles in EP

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