Page 45 - 2021 JAN/FEB Outdoor Oklahoma Magazine

warrants on their end. Using special agents in New
Jersey, the destination FedEx hub was observed
for whoever picked up the specially marked boxes virGiNia State ParkS
of live cargo. Every step was documented, and
photographic evidence taken.
Eventually, collected through search warrants,
the same Oklahoma turtles would be re-seized
and identified for evidence for the prosecution in
federal court. The kingpin’s defense team would
be astonished and perplexed to learn that each,
individual turtle from Oklahoma had been care-
fully tagged. There would be no doubt on the size
and scope of this operation and the inhumane
damage it was inflicting to Oklahoma’s wildlife.
Americans sometimes enjoy exotic or other
unusual pets originating from foreign lands.
Similarly, affluent families in China are buying
three-toed and western box turtles there as
food and as pets — a sign of prosperity. Five
dollars paid to a Creek County turtle collector
would turn into $25 for an Arkansas middle-
man. Then, $100 was paid to the New Jersey
businessman, while his overseas buyers could
receive $500 each. An ornate box turtle serves as a high-end “product sample” of the most expensive
The final Chinese consumer was paying as turtles sought after by Asian buyers. Some have reportedly sold in China for as high as
much as $1,000 to $2,000 for each select ani- $10,000 each.
mal fortunate enough to survive the smuggling journey. Some with ongoing investigations. Also, charges are pending or
buyers in China have reportedly paid up to $10,000 per turtle. cases being closed on numerous suspects in numerous
It is believed that world wildlife smuggling generates $19 states throughout the southeastern United States.
billion annually, ranking it fourth behind guns, drugs and In Tulsa, appearing in United States Federal Court, the
human trafficking. ‘kingpin’ in this case, William T. Gangemi, 27, of Freehold,
For his smaller role, the Arkansas man was convicted in N.J., pleaded guilty to violating the federal Lacey Act, which
Creek County District Court and ordered to pay more than makes it a felony to move any unlawfully taken or pos-
$10,000 for state crimes. He continues to assist the feds sessed wildlife across any state lines. He was ordered to pay
$100,000 in restitution to
He was ordered to pay $100,000 in restitution to the the USFWS for investigative
and wildlife damages and
USFWS for investigative and wildlife damages and $250,000 in restitution to
$250,000 in restitution to the Oklahoma Department of the Oklahoma Department
of Wildlife Conservation
Wildlife Conservation for damages to the state’s wildlife. for damages to the state’s
wildlife. At sentencing in
CarloS GomeZ/oDWC was given three years’ probation (to settle his debt) or face
January 2020, Gangemi
incarceration, something he was desperate to avoid.
And finally, it was a happy ending for those most criti-
cally important players in this complex victory. After help-
ing prevent the possible loss of their kind in Oklahoma,
the “undercover turtles” were processed through a
licensed wildlife rehabilitation facility on the East Coast
and returned to Oklahoma in good health.

Editors Note: Game Warden Carlos Gomez recently retired
after 41 years of service, and was assigned to Tulsa County
since 1986. For nearly 20 years, he has been the editor of
Confiscated turtles are temporarily gathered in a fire ring in Game Oklahoma Game Wardens Magazine and advertising manag-
Warden Carlos Gomez’s backyard. er for International Game Warden magazine.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 43

12/16/20 12:39 PM
OutdoorOK-2021-January-February.indd 43 12/16/20 12:39 PM
OutdoorOK-2021-January-February.indd

43