Man With 15 Lizards Strapped to Chest Arrested at Airport

Friday, November 20, 2009

LOS ANGELES — Federal officials say they arrested a man who strapped 15 live lizards to his chest to get through customs at Los Angeles International Airport.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said Friday that 40-year-old Michael Plank of Lomita, Calif., was returning from Australia when U.S. Customs agents found two geckos, two monitor lizards and 11 skinks — another type of lizard — fastened to his body Tuesday.

Plank has been released on $10,000 bond and will be arraigned in federal court on Dec. 21.

Authorities say the lizards' value totals more than $8,500. All Australian reptiles are strictly regulated and Plank did not have a permit for them.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,...est=latestnews


Does anyone know this Michael Plank? That name sure sounds familiar.

Holy crap. Could this be the same dude?? If so he's a first class dumba$$.

http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/foru...=michael+plank

I still swear I dunno how the guy thought he could pull it off, the name does sound familiar though I dunno ...

because this is by far the worst that can happen as this trade is continuously being hammered enough by people who are looking to eliminate the trade and your right to have herps..

Any negative fuel will only make things worse. So now we have to deal with an idiot who probably was being monitored before he even arrived here by officials.. You can imagine what this will lead to as it gets pursued further.

Michael, and I happen to know him was stupid. More so arrogant !