Authorities say Andrew Laughlin, 47, admitted he participated as a middleman to acquire hard-to-find newts.
An expert kayak guide, Mr. Laughlin owns and operates Tahoe City Kayak about 110 miles east of Sacramento on the northwest shore of Lake Tahoe, an alpine lake that straddles California and Nevada.
Mr. Laughlin was accused of shipping or receiving at least four packages of amphibians and reptiles, including packages to and from people in Hong Kong and Sweden.
The packages were falsely labeled as toy cars, rubber toys, or other items, but they. actually contained live animals including Eastern Box turtles, spotted turtles, fire belly newts, Asian warty newts, and newts native to California, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Some of the shipments contained banned species that could harm U.S. ecosystems and natural resources, according to authorities.
A search of the defendant’s home turned up 81 live newts of various species. Some of the newts tested positive for a virulent fungi that originated in Asia and is spread through illegal pet trading, the attorney’s office reported.
Mr. Laughlin did not return a request for comment Tuesday. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 7 by U.S. District Judge William Shubb in Sacramento.
Under the plea agreement, Mr. Laughlin agreed to pay restitution for the costs to care for and test the seized newts. He also agreed to undertake a voluntary public education campaign at his kayaking store about the harms of illegal amphibian trafficking, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The actual sentence will be determined by the judge.
