Acquitted of smuggling iguanas from Fiji in his hollowed-out prosthetic leg But

http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_2812868.html

Man cleared of smuggling lizards in false leg

A US man has been acquitted of smuggling iguanas from Fiji in his hollowed-out prosthetic leg.

But Jereme James, 34, was found guilty of concealing and possessing Fiji Island banded iguanas and could still face up to 20 years in prison, reports the LA Times.

The jury in the three-day trial rejected charges that James, from Long Beach, California, stole the lizards on a visit to the South Pacific Island in September 2002.

But prosecutors revealed that during an undercover investigation Mr James had confessed to selling three of the iguanas for £16,000.

Police seized four of the neon green-striped reptiles when they searched his house after obtaining a search warrant last July.

Officials said the iguanas, which are protected by an international treaty, would be entered into a breeding programme in the United States.

James is due back in court in July when he will be sentenced.

The first report I read.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=3638020

SoCal Man Charged With Smuggling Iguanas
California Man Charged With Smuggling Iguanas From Fiji Into U.S. in His Prosthetic Leg
LOS ANGELES September 22, 2007 (AP)

A man accused of stealing three endangered iguanas from a nature preserve in Fiji and smuggling them into the United States in his prosthetic leg has been indicted.

Jereme James, 33, of Long Beach, faces a single count of smuggling, according to a federal indictment returned Friday in Los Angeles. The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

Prosecutors say James stole the Fiji Island banded iguanas while visiting the South Pacific island in September 2002. He then brought the reptiles to the U.S. by hiding them in a special compartment he had constructed in his prosthetic leg, prosecutors said.

James will be summoned to appear for his arraignment next month.

James, who was not taken into custody, could not be located for comment. Authorities believe he had not yet retained a lawyer, and a call to a J. James in Long Beach was not immediately returned.

James came under scrutiny several years ago when someone told U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials that he had several of the neon green iguanas, which are protected under an international treaty regulating trade in endangered species.

During an undercover probe, James told investigators he sold three of the iguanas for $32,000, prosecutors said.

When a search warrant was served at his house on April 26, Fish and Wildlife agents seized four iguanas. Authorities suspect James may have bred the creatures to sell them.

The seized iguanas will end up in a breeding program in the United States, Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph O. Johns said.

At least there is an upside to the story not like most. I wonder what the progress is with there breeding project ... Going to google it now...

Check into the breeding program at the San Diego Zoo. They have quite a large colony of these iguanas that have been turned over to them over the last several years. I'll bet that's where these wound up. They've been very successful with them over the years at the zoo. I was fortunate to see them behind the scenes in the large arboretum where they were kept off exhibit. Incredible animals!!