Iowa taxidermist sentenced to 27 months for illegal rhino horn trade

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Reuters

Iowa taxidermist sentenced to 27 months for illegal rhino horn trade
Reuters
4 hours ago

Reuters) - An Iowa taxidermist who pleaded guilty to buying and selling black rhino horns in violation of U.S. laws protecting endangered species has been sentenced to 27 months in prison, court records show.

James Hess of Maquoketa, Iowa, will also have three years of supervised release after serving his prison term, according to documents filed with the U.S. District Court in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for the sentence handed down on Tuesday.

Prosecutors said Hess was involved in the purchase and resale of at least two sets of black rhino horns in 2011. An agreement between Hess and prosecutors put the value of the horns at between $200,000 and $400,000.

International crime syndicates often acquire rhino horns, which are used in traditional Asian medicine and sell at prices higher than gold in Vietnam, where a belief, with no scientific basis, exists that they can cure cancer.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/iowa-taxidermist-sentenced-27-months-illegal-rhino-horn-011847734.html

[ellenrr]

1. 27 months! He should get 27 years.