PORTLAND, Maine
Sergey Bachkovsky, of Greene, Maine, pleaded guilty in federal court to trafficking whale and bird parts in violation of the Lacey Act, the nation’s oldest wildlife trafficking law.
Facts of the Case:
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Timeframe: June 2023 – March 2024
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Conduct: Imported wildlife items from Eastern Europe and sold them online in the U.S.
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Items trafficked: sperm whale and marine mammal teeth (including scrimshaw), blue whale and Antarctic minke whale ear bones, and a broad-winged hawk carcass.
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Forfeiture notice: Marine mammal and bear teeth, whale vertebrae, eagle, hawk, owl, and vulture feathers and wings.
Legal Protections Violated:
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Endangered Species Act (1973): sperm and blue whales.
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Marine Mammal Protection Act & Migratory Bird Treaty Act: prohibit sale/transport of whale and bird parts without a permit.
Penalties: Bachkovsky faces up to 5 years in prison, 3 years supervised release, and a $250,000 fine (or twice the financial gain/loss). Sentencing is pending.