A Massachusetts man from Reading faces charges of wildlife trafficking, including parts from endangered species, according to a press release from the Department of Justice. Adam Bied, 39, has been indicted on counts of conspiracy to smuggle illegal wildlife parts into the U.S. and multiple violations of the Lacey Act.
Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy of the U.S. Attorney’s Office stated, "The illicit trafficking of endangered wildlife for financial gain is a grave offense that poses a significant threat to global conservation efforts and preservation of these species." He further emphasized, "Mr. Bied’s alleged conduct reflects a blatant disregard for the laws in place to safeguard our planet’s biodiversity."
The accusations stem from transactions that reportedly took place between January 2018 and June 2021. Court documents allege that Bied engaged in purchasing, selling, and trading wildlife parts, including from species listed as endangered. It's claimed he traded with vendors in Cameroon and Indonesia who provided these items, which Bied subsequently sold in the United States.
Authorities are also seeking forfeiture of over 100 animal parts uncovered during a seizure by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in July 2021, which include orangutan, tiger, and leopard skulls, jaguar and leopard skins, among others. Bied apparently lacked a required U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service license and allegedly avoided declaring these imports to authorities.
The charges carry potential sentences of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and fines up to $250,000 per count. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nadine Pellegrini and Carol E. Head, with collaboration from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement, and the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Crimes Section.
The Department of Justice emphasized that the allegations are pending proof in court, and the defendant remains innocent until proven guilty. The evidence of the seized wildlife parts is subject to a preponderance of the evidence to confirm forfeiture under federal law.
