Florida 'Monkey Whisperer' Facing Charges For Illegal Animal Trafficking

By Zuri Anderson

January 21, 2021

A Florida man known as "the Monkey Whisperer" was charged in federal court with illegally transporting and selling primates, NBC Miami reported.

Prosecutors claim 57-year-old Jimmy Wayne Hammonds, of Parrish, used his business, The Monkey Whisperer, LLC, to operate a wildlife breeding and sales venture. Officials said Hammonds tried selling a capuchin monkey to a California buyer, who could not legally own the animal. Authorities said they seized the animal from the home, leading them to accuse the 57-year-old of organizing the illegal transport of the monkey across the U.S.

"The indictment alleged he also sold endangered cotton-top tamarins to buyers in Alabama, South Carolina and Wisconsin, then concealed the animal trafficking by submitting false records to authorities and attempting to persuade a witness to lie to law enforcement," reporters learned.

Hammonds was charged with conspiracy, trafficking and submitting a false record in violation of the Lacey Act, a federal law involving the illegal trade in wildlife, violations of the Endangered Species Act and witness tampering, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office of Middle Florida.

He could face over 30 years in prison if convicted on all counts.

Like how there's weird animal stories in Florida, there's also unusual trafficking plots foiled. Last year, state wildlife authorities busted a trafficking ring that involved sending flying squirrels overseas to South Korean buyers.

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