Webster County reptile dealer sentenced for illegal sales

A Strafford reptile dealer has been sentenced to five years of probation and fined $5,000 for making false statements to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agents related to the exportation of protected turtles.

John F. Richards, owner of Loggerhead Acres Turtle Farm, was investigated by the federal agency and the Missouri Department of Conservation for commercialization of Missouri native reptile species, including the state-endangered Blanding's turtle, according to a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service news release.

After executing a search warrant in 2004, investigators found evidence of the commercialization of multiple species including Mississippi pap turtles, Ouachita map turtles, river cooters and alligator snapping turtles.

Richards was indicted on four counts of violating the Lacey wildlife protection act, which carries maximum penalties of $100,000 and one year in prison per count. Richards pled guilty on May 28, and this week, U.S. District Court Judge Richard Dorr sentenced Richards to the supervised probation and fine.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said in the release that reptiles make up a large portion of the country's live wildlife trade, with reptiles becoming increasingly popular as pets and collectibles. Rare species, the release said, are especially profitable on the black market.