Follow @USApostille
![]() Our Videos |
October 3, 11
NEWS / Virginia Man Pleads Guilty to Trafficking in Illegally-Imported Sperm Whale TeethWASHINGTON – Richard M. Ertel, of Spotsylvania, Va., pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Richmond, Va., to the illegal importation and illegal trafficking of sperm whale teeth, the Department of Justice announced. Ertel pleaded guilty to two felony violations of the Lacey Act for trading in endangered marine mammal parts. Sperm whales are classified as “endangered” under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and are listed on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. It is illegal to import parts of sperm whale teeth into the United States without the requisite permits and certifications, and without declaring the merchandise at the time of importation to U.S. Customs and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Sperm whale teeth are commonly used for scrimshaw and can fetch large sums of money from collectors and tourists. Scrimshaw, as defined by the ESA, is any art form which involves the substantial etching or engraving of designs upon, or the substantial carving of figures, patterns or designs from, any bone or tooth of any whale, dolphin or porpoise. As part of the plea, Ertel admitted that from April 2002 to June 2007, he was in the business of buying and selling sperm whale teeth that he purchased from sources in the Ukraine, and then sold to customers in Virginia and elsewhere in the United States. He admitted to conducting much of his business via the Internet. As a result of the felony conviction, Ertel could be sentenced up to five years in prison and fined up to $250,000 for each count. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 9, 2012. The case was investigated by agents from the Law Enforcement Offices of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and U.S. Customs and Boarder Protection. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dave Maguire of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney Gary N. Donner of the Environmental Crimes Section of the Environment and Natural Resources Division at the Department of Justice. http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2011/October/11-enrd-1306.html |
Do you need
We do Retrieval, Preparation and Legalization.
Power of attorney
Vital records
Birth certificate
Marriage Certificate
Single Status Affidavit
No Record of a Marriage
Certificate of No Marriage Record
Divorce Certificate
Divorce Decree
Death certificate
Criminal Record
Certificate of good conduct
Criminal Background Check
Foreign Driver License
Documents for transportation of the Deceased
Children's Travel Consent Letter
Evaluation of Foreign Education Credentials for US
Letter of Invitation for USA Visa
Documents for Avoiding Double Taxation
|
TestimonialsJohn BeacleayJust wanted to say thanks again for all your help Anton. I mean it's really amazing to me that yo... As a foreigner, I needed a certified translation, so I called the DOE to give me a list of the ce... |
FAQWhere can i find more information about International Financial Scams?Read More » If I have a corporation in one state, are there any formal requirements in order for it to conduct business in another state? Read More » What is a Notary Public? Read More » Since some FY09 H-1B petitions for these students may have already been approved for consular processing when USCIS published this e-mail notification process, can the petitioner still request change Read More » |
Quick Menuapostille Micronesiaapostille Marshall Islands apostille Indiana apostille Madagascar apostille Anguilla apostille Louisiana apostille Canal Zone Divorce Certificate Certificate of Incorporation apostille Barbados apostille Sao Tome and Principe apostille Poland apostille Cayman Islands apostille Ghana apostille Equatorial Guinea Articles of Incorporation |
NewsJuly 3, 25TX woman arrested after convincing pastor to certify fake marriage certificate Read More » July 1, 25 South Carolina woman accused of altering sister’s death certificate to commit insurance fraud Read More » June 26, 25 Jefferson Davis Hospital birth certificate errors persist; causing headaches for many Read More » June 19, 25 Iowa man whose body was found after home explosion died of suicide – death certificate Read More » |