Jose Manuel Perez of Oxnard was sentenced to 65 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to smuggling goods and wildlife trafficking tied to a ring that moved more than 1,700 animals valued at over $739,000. The operation ran from January 2016 to February 2022 and imported reptiles from Mexico, Hong Kong and other locations without border declarations or required CITES permits. Social media was used to source and advertise animals taken from the wild, and the case links to a 2022 arrest when Perez was found concealing reptiles on his person. Perez was already serving nine years following a May 2023 guilty plea on firearms charges.
California Man Sentenced to 65 Months for Smuggling 1,700+ Reptiles in International Trafficking Ring
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An Oxnard, California man, Jose Manuel Perez, was sentenced to 65 months (5 years and 5 months) in federal prison after admitting his role in a years‑long international reptile trafficking operation that moved more than 1,700 animals into the United States.
Case Details
Perez pleaded guilty in August 2022 to one count of smuggling goods into the United States and one count of wildlife trafficking, the U.S. Department of Justice said. Prosecutors estimate the reptiles and other animals had a combined value in excess of $739,000.
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Authorities say the trafficking ring operated from January 2016 through February 2022, importing animals from Mexico, Hong Kong and other locations. Trafficked species included Mexican beaded lizards, baby crocodiles and Yucatán box turtles.
How the Ring Operated
Investigators found that none of the shipments were declared at the U.S. border and that the group failed to obtain permits required under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Prosecutors said the network bypassed legal checkpoints designed to protect at‑risk wildlife.
Man Charged With Smuggling More Than 1,700 Reptiles Into U.S.
Social media played a central role: Perez and his associates used online platforms to source animals, negotiate sales and arrange deliveries inside the U.S. They also posted photos and videos showing reptiles taken from the wild, effectively advertising illegal stock to buyers.
Related Incidents and Sentencing
The case connects to a 2022 arrest in which Perez allegedly attempted to re‑enter the United States while concealing reptiles on his person, including in his groin area; he told officers the animals were his pets. That incident figured into the broader investigation.
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At the time of the May 29 sentencing, Perez was already serving a nine‑year federal sentence after pleading guilty in May 2023 to multiple counts of being a felon in possession of firearms.
Legal Context: Smuggling wildlife and importing endangered species without required CITES permits are federal crimes intended to protect biodiversity and prevent illegal trade.
This case underscores growing law‑enforcement scrutiny of wildlife trafficking facilitated by online marketplaces and international shipping networks.
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