Source: United States Department of Justice News
VALDOSTA, Ga. – A Florida reptile dealer pleaded guilty to shipping venomous snakes and turtles from his residence in Valdosta as part of “Operation Middleman,” a multi-agency investigation focusing on the trafficking of reptiles from the United States to China.
Ashtyn Michael Rance, 35, of Miami, Florida, pleaded guilty to one count Lacey Act Trafficking and one count possession of a firearm by a convicted felon before U.S. District Judge Hugh Lawson on Thursday, Nov. 18. The maximum sentence under the Lacey Act and illegal possession of a firearm charges are five and 10 years of imprisonment, respectively, and a $250,000 fine for each charge. Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 23, 2022, in Valdosta.