Environmental Crimes Bulletin November 2023 Week 2

In this issue:

• United States v. Maria Soledad Palomarez, et al., No. 3:23-CR-02038 (S.D. Calif.), ECS Senior Trial Attorney Stephen DaPonte and AUSA Melanie Pierson
• United States v. Bhagavan “Doc” Antle, et al., No. 4:22-CR-00580 (D.S.C.), ECS Senior Trial Attorney Patrick Duggan, AUSAs Derek A. Shoemake and Amy Bower, and ECS Paralegal Jillian Grubb

United States v. Maria Soledad Palomarez, et al., No. 3:23-CR-02038 (S.D. Calif.), ECS Senior Trial Attorney Stephen DaPonte and AUSA Melanie Pierson

On November 7, 2023, Maria Soledad Palomarez and Maria Guadelupe Arreola-Mora pleaded guilty to conspiracy to smuggle pesticides (18 U.S.C. § 371). Sentencing is scheduled for February 20, 2024.

On August 30, 2023, authorities apprehended Palomarez and Arreola-Mora as they entered the United States from Mexico at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry with 42 one liter bottles of Taktic, an undeclared Mexican pesticide. Taktic contains the active ingredient amitraz, which is prohibited in the United States at the elevated concentration found in this product. This pesticide is used by people who are involved in beekeeping.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Criminal Investigation Division, Homeland Security Investigations, and Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation.

United States v. Bhagavan “Doc” Antle, et al., No. 4:22-CR-00580 (D.S.C.), ECS Senior Trial Attorney Patrick Duggan, AUSAs Derek A. Shoemake and Amy Bower, and ECS Paralegal Jillian Grubb

On November 6, 2023, Bhagavan “Doc” Antle pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act and one count of conspiracy to launder money (18 U.S.C. § 371).

Antle is the owner and operator of The Institute for Greatly Endangered and Rare Species (T.I.G.E.R.S.), also known as the Myrtle Beach Safari. The Safari is a 50-acre wildlife tropical preserve that offers tours and private encounters with exotic wildlife. Antle also serves as the director of the nonprofit organization the Rare Species Fund.

Between 2018 and 2020, Antle bought and sold cheetah cubs, lion cubs, tigers, and a chimpanzee by using false paperwork and “sham” donations to hide the illegal transactions. Antle also laundered $505,000 between February and April 2022, by receiving cash he believed to have been obtained from the harboring of illegal aliens, depositing that cash in a bank account, taking a fee, and then writing checks to an individual.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service conducted the investigation.

Environmental Crimes Bulletin