Dozen charged with selling endangered species online

Those charged were not connected, Goswami said. They face misdemeanor charges that carry a penalties of up to a year in jail. Animals and items were sold for prices ranging from a few hundred dollars to $10,000, officials said.

The backgrounds of those charged are as varied as the items they are accused of selling: James Colburn, 66, of Leona Valley, is charged with selling a bear skin rug; Dan Tram Huynh, 30, of San Diego, allegedly sold a freshwater Asian aworana fish; Karla Trejo, 42, of Sherman Oaks, was charged with selling a Western scrub jay; and Kamipeli Piuleini, 35, of Torrance, allegedly sold a Hawksbill sea turtle shell.

About 70% of illegal sales of wildlife worldwide take place in the United States, according to a study by the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

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– Esmeralda Bermudez