Man accused of shipping protected turtles faces 25 years prison

The 26-year-old faces three federal charges
He could face more than two decades in prison and a massive fine
A federal judge will determine the sentence if convicted

Updated: Jun 6, 2024 / 06:50 PM CDT

NEW YORK (NewsNation) — A New York man faces federal charges after he allegedly shipped protected species of turtles from the U.S. to China for the pet trade black market, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Russell Milis, 26, of New York City, was charged with two counts of smuggling goods from the U.S. and one count of violating the Lacey Act, a conservation law aimed at preventing the illegal trade of fish, wildlife and plants.

Both species of turtles, according to the DOJ, are protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, an international agreement to protect fish, wildlife and plants that are or may become threatened with extinction.

If convicted on all charges, Milis could face 25 years in prison and a fine of more than $250,000.

A federal district court judge will determine the sentence if convicted.