Bad Guy Garret Smith ( Scammer )

[Chris Kennard]

That isn't even remotely close to how things work in small claims courts. This is a version of the popular myth that when you win, you "get your money", and that you are automatically granted all sorts of punitive torts, damages, and "court costs", but this couldn't be further from the truth.

If you do "win" a small claims case, you get... well, nothing, actually. You get nothing more than the judge agreeing with you that you are owed what you say you are. The court is not an ATM, no one writes you a check for the amount you "won". YOU are responsible for collecting the monies "owed" you if you "win"... for example you have to hire a private collection agency or work their local law enforcement to have writs of garnishment issued against their paychecks, etc. You MAY recover some money, but you just as easily may not. Point is, it's up to YOU to collect it... unless you fork over a large percentage of any recovered monies to a collection agency for handling it for you, of course.

Everyone repeats this Law & Order/TV version of what it means to "sue" and "get money", but it doesn't comport with reality. I'd suggest anyone considering filing in small claims court do your research and then decide if it's REALLLLLLY worth your time and energy... you'll likely find that it isn't. Sad, but true.

Nicely, and accurately put!

 

[Black Adder]

That isn't even remotely close to how things work in small claims courts. This is a version of the popular myth that when you win, you "get your money", and that you are automatically granted all sorts of punitive torts, damages, and "court costs", but this couldn't be further from the truth.

If you do "win" a small claims case, you get... well, nothing, actually. You get nothing more than the judge agreeing with you that you are owed what you say you are. The court is not an ATM, no one writes you a check for the amount you "won". YOU are responsible for collecting the monies "owed" you if you "win"... for example you have to hire a private collection agency or work their local law enforcement to have writs of garnishment issued against their paychecks, etc. You MAY recover some money, but you just as easily may not. Point is, it's up to YOU to collect it... unless you fork over a large percentage of any recovered monies to a collection agency for handling it for you, of course.

Everyone repeats this Law & Order/TV version of what it means to "sue" and "get money", but it doesn't comport with reality. I'd suggest anyone considering filing in small claims court do your research and then decide if it's REALLLLLLY worth your time and energy... you'll likely find that it isn't. Sad, but true.

Hear, Hear!
Been there...
Done that....
Still NEVER saw a darn cent!

 

[Chris Kennard]

Another perfect example of what this site provides. In this industry, law is weak. This site does what the law can't. That is, take out the trash. The only people that appreciate what WEBSLAVE has done here are the straight shooters.

 

[Big Time Reptiles]

Another perfect example of what this site provides. In this industry, law is weak. This site does what the law can't. That is, take out the trash. The only people that appreciate what WEBSLAVE has done here are the straight shooters.

AMEN!

Lynn Peterson
Big Time Reptiles

 

[Chris Kennard]

Thank you Markus,

You did a much better job explaining the transaction between Myself and Mike than I did on my first statement on this BOI.

Mike has sent me money before to import animals from Austria. I believe around $3,000. That import also took along time and we lost a few animals. That I took care of applying his credit for the dead animals to this transaction. Mike also has other friends that import. He knows how long importing can take.

I spoke to Mikes mom on the phone several times. They said they were hurting for money and asked if I could send them some money back. I didn't have mikes money as I wired it all along with my money to Pakistan. I sold a few of my personal animals and sent Mike and his mom $1,500.

Mike called shortly before posting this BOI saying he really needs the money for bills etc. I told him that he agreed to this and he knew it takes along time…but I would see what I could do. I offered a few people to buy Mikes animals at his price to keep, sell with a profit etc. One guy was considering it but decided to go in another direction. I kept mike in the loop the entire time on this.

I told Mike that, I have a shipment coming in from Mexico that I paid for in December 2014 that should come in and when I sell the animals that I would buy his animals from Pakistan. He couldn't wait. (That shipment still has not arrived)

Mike started to get belligerent and demanding that I send him some money, even payments. I listed a few of my personal animals for sale to help him out. A few days later, He sent me a text saying that he need money and he couldn't even buy his daughter a birthday present. I felt bad and took more animals out to photograph to sell when I get a notification on Facebook that Mike posted a new post on the Uromastyx site. I check out his post's and its his new banded Uromastyx and other uromastyx that he just bought. This infuriated me..and is in my opinion as low as you can go.

I pulled all the adds of my personal animals and told Mike to sit back he's in this deal for the long hall. He of course threatened a BOI and here we are.

Pactrick's last few comments are exactly why people don't want to comment on the BOI. He was look for anything to talk bad about Markus and Markus had nothing to do with the deal that Mike and I have. Pactrick said I didn't answer all of his questions on some geckos that I had for sale, and now he is harassing me on my person page. (I have reported him to the mods) This guy is so but hurt that he didn't get the geckos that I sold he has not even know what this BOI is about. Check out his post #183 he thinks this transaction is about reptiles from Germany.

Vannesa Lane gave me bad Karma months ago. I didn't even know about this Karma thing. My square turned red one day…and I though cool, I like red. I was trying to find out if I could turn it blue when I discovered that she gave me negative Karma on an add I had for earless monitors. She said they were smuggled because she read an old article on them. She didn't send me a private message asking. "I though those were illegal or I read this article etc." and I would of politely given her the current facts on the animals. She did a drive by passive aggressive move IMO. I check out her BOI and I found a out with the comments on it that she has done this many time to people. I reported it to the admins and they did nothing. I did it back to her and Whooooo. This girl does not like the taste of her own medicine. If you check out all of her post she thinks she is the game warden and unofficial moderator of this site, and one of her hobbies is to attacked people on this site

Alexander D. Mckelvy (occidentalis) I meet in a similar was as I did with Vanessa Lane. I posted an ad on FB for some Saba Island Iguanas. He posted on the ad that I was selling regular green iguanas as SABA's even though I have cites documents. I also posted a study from saba island and the Accueil Réserve Naturelle St. Barth, a study is on it's way to scientifically establish the Saba Black Iguana as a distinct subspecies of the Green Iguana (Iguana Iguana), only found on Saba. The team from St. Barth, visited the island from November 24th to 26th, to measure, weigh and take DNA samples from a number of specimen. 8 individuals were caught, but immediately released after the sampling, and no harm was done to the animals. The DNA samples will be analyzed in France and it is hoped that we will soon receive evidence of the uniqueness of the subspecies. He said this study was BS. I had several people come in and defend me, it started a fight and I was asked by the mods to delete the ad and re-list it.

Lynn Peterson (big time reptiles)In Lynns post #147 He sates "you don't know me from Adam" Lie #1 for Lynn: Lynn has sent me several e-mail (I still have all of them)inquiring about animals etc. He's even called me. Also in post #147 he states Lie #2 that mike is NOT he friend. but if you check Lynn's profile you can see that he IS a friend of mikes

Hillary Kotilainen (combatwombat) come on the BOI thanking goodness for seeing this BOI before she was just about to buy an animal off of me. When I offer to send her the animal to her without spending a penny, risk free….she changes her mind. I click on her PUBLIC profile and see her and Lynn are private messaging. Hummmm….

4 other people posted that are friends of Mike and Lynns. Can they be bias? I think not.

Chris Kennard: Professional BOIer you can't compete with this guy. It took 3 pages to figure out the time difference from the US to Germany. This guys a pro and I will not compete with him.

With the people that posted on this BOI. I have only had sales with 2 people in 8 transaction 6 going on 7 with Markus and 2 with Mike. All of the completed transaction went great with money in the $50,000 range. As I stated in my first statement Mike will get his lizards, Is that a scammer? Because importing takes a while. I think not. As importing goes, I don't have an exact date on the shipment but hoping soon. Ill say it again this is a inaccurate BOI claim of scammer. Mike will get his lizards and ALWAYS would of. I will post the shipping document when the come in along with the fedEx shipping to Mikes house. Just for fun I will also post a current background check that I did for a job promotion that will show ZERO CONVICTIONS.

Garrett

LMAO! I would be flattered if there was such a thing as a "professional BOIer". I simply do what all non gullible people here do. Just like you are good at spinning. We all have our talents. I can't wait til the real real pros take a shot at you.

 

[Big Time Reptiles]

Just for fun I will also post a current background check that I did for a job promotion that will show ZERO CONVICTIONS.

Garrett

Hey Garrett,
Just for fun, show us the background check you mention in the quote above, in addition to the above mentioned, you also mentioned the same in a private message dated 9/4, to "dieselfan" Patrick Sterling, see the attachment in POST # 170.

If & when you do post such a document, how then, will you explain the newspaper article dated 01.17.08. about you, which I've included.


"Law enforcement officials working in concert with federal authorities have arrested Garrett Smith, a Chico resident, for allegedly smuggling and selling protected tortoises.
According to the office of U.S. Attorney McGregor Scott, Smith worked with someone in Singapore called “Turtle Man” to import and sell protected Burmese Star and Indian Star tortoises. Altogether, Smith is alleged to have imported 35 of the protected reptiles.
Smith, 39, faces a variety of charges, including conspiracy, falsely labeling wildlife, unlawful sale of wildlife and money laundering. His arrest and indictment last week in Sacramento Federal Court were the result of an extensive investigation by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. If convicted, he could receive up to 20 years per count of smuggling and money laundering."


O.K., go ahead and post the no convictions background check.


THANKS!

Lynn Peterson
Big Time Reptiles

 

[Lucille]

Lynn
The news article you posted, above, does not mention any convictions.

 

[Big Time Reptiles]

Lynn
The news article you posted, above, does not mention any convictions.

Lucille,
You are absolutely correct, I should've paid closer attention to what I was posting!

It does how ever say he was indicted & arrested.

I'll pay much closer attention before posting in the future!

My apologies!

Lynn Peterson
Big Time Reptiles

 

[snowgyre]

Yes, but he pleaded guilty. I'm not sure what his sentence was.

Source: http://www.chicoer.com/20090317/chico-man-pleads-guilty-in-tortoise-smuggling-conspiracy

SACRAMENTO — A Chico man plead guilty last month in federal court to charges of money laundering and smuggling protected tortoises into the United States.

It's believed Garrett Smith, 40, smuggled 30 rare Indian star tortoises and five nearly extinct Burmese star tortoises into the country through an unknown contact in Asia known only as Turtle Man.

Exporting and importing the tortoises is a violation of the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species treaty.

Smith allegedly purchased the tortoises through e-mail transactions, then had some of them shipped directly to his north Chico apartment.

He allegedly sold them to dealers and individuals throughout the country. Indian star tortoises sell for between $400 and $600 each. The Burmese variety have no published trading price.

Smith will be sentenced April 21. He faces a possible penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Actual sentencing will follow federal sentencing guidelines based on a variety of factors.

Turtle Man and his associates remain at large.

 

[snowgyre]

Ah, found his sentence. It's sad that wildlife laws have no teeth. Smugglers often make more in one smuggling run than the fines they receive if they get caught. His punishment was paltry.

Source: http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2009/may/12/ca-smuggled-tortoises-051209/

SACRAMENTO — A Chico man has been sentenced to three years' probation and six months of home detention for smuggling protected tortoises into the U.S.

U.S. District Judge Lawrence Karlton on Tuesday also sentenced 40-year-old Garrett Smith to 144 hours of community service and fined him $2,000.

Prosecutors say Smith imported wild tortoises from Asia with the help of an unknown conspirator, then sold and distributed the reptiles throughout the U.S.

Smith imported five Burmese Star tortoises and 30 Indian Star tortoises, which are protected by an international treaty.

Authorities believe the middleman lives in Singapore.

 

[Occidentalis]

He was convicted after what looks to be a plea / settlement deal. He plead guilty to a conspiracy charge, #1 on the indictment. $2K in fines and probation seems like a slap on the wrist to me.


See:
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCOURTS-caed-2_07-cr-00573/pdf/USCOURTS-caed-2_07-cr-00573-16.pdf

Also attached.

 

[Black Adder]

Ah, found his sentence. It's sad that wildlife laws have no teeth. Smugglers often make more in one smuggling run than the fines they receive if they get caught. His punishment was paltry.

Source: http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2009/may/12/ca-smuggled-tortoises-051209/

Absolutely pathetic!
What sort of deterrent is that?
None at all, no wonder animal smuggling is STILL so very rampant.
And I am sure the "extensive investigation" cost many times the amount of the fines etc.

 

[Occidentalis]

Alexander D. Mckelvy (occidentalis) I meet in a similar was as I did with Vanessa Lane. I posted an ad on FB for some Saba Island Iguanas. He posted on the ad that I was selling regular green iguanas as SABA's even though I have cites documents. I also posted a study from saba island and the Accueil Réserve Naturelle St. Barth, a study is on it's way to scientifically establish the Saba Black Iguana as a distinct subspecies of the Green Iguana (Iguana Iguana), only found on Saba. The team from St. Barth, visited the island from November 24th to 26th, to measure, weigh and take DNA samples from a number of specimen. 8 individuals were caught, but immediately released after the sampling, and no harm was done to the animals. The DNA samples will be analyzed in France and it is hoped that we will soon receive evidence of the uniqueness of the subspecies. He said this study was BS. I had several people come in and defend me, it started a fight and I was asked by the mods to delete the ad and re-list it.

This is not particularly accurate and it reflects how little of what I said you understood.

I never stated that you were selling regular green iguanas as whatever you claim they were. I'm sure they are super special and come from where you say they do, but:

You never posted an actual study. You said the study was on its way (like OP's lizards, ha) and used the phrasing "it is hoped that we will soon receive evidence of the uniqueness of the subspecies". I took issue with this for two reasons which fall under the umbrella of misrepresentation (to sell your stuff).
First, science doesn't work on "hopes" - you don't go about working on something to "prove" your preconceived notion as to what is going on with the biogeography of a species. You test a hypothesis and either refute it or support it.
Second, subspecies is a mostly worthless taxonomic designation that doesn't particularly mean anything, especially with regard to molecular data. Something is either independently evolving with its own trajectory, or it is not. There isn't even a consensus on what a subspecies is - they have been described in the past based on clinal variation, superficial morphology, suspected "incipient speciation", low molecular variation or even just allopatry. Herp systematics as a whole, with a few "old men" holdouts, is well on its way to abandoning the subspecies concept where actual relationships have been tested statistically. I don't know who these French scientists are, but based on the representation you wrote, I suspect that this study would amount to something completely arbitrary, and less rigorous than even the most basic undergraduate project.

Instead of learning from what I wrote, you acted as you have with every other inquiry and criticism on this thread. Flying off the handle with weirdly aggressive responses both there and on Fauna. It was you who started the fight, not me, and I don't recall anyone defending you. Probably part of the reason why you were removed from the group? I don't know anything about that.

 

[Chris Kennard]

This is not particularly accurate and it reflects how little of what I said you understood.

I never stated that you were selling regular green iguanas as whatever you claim they were. I'm sure they are super special and come from where you say they do, but:

You never posted an actual study. You said the study was on its way (like OP's lizards, ha) and used the phrasing "it is hoped that we will soon receive evidence of the uniqueness of the subspecies". I took issue with this for two reasons which fall under the umbrella of misrepresentation (to sell your stuff).
First, science doesn't work on "hopes" - you don't go about working on something to "prove" your preconceived notion as to what is going on with the biogeography of a species. You test a hypothesis and either refute it or support it.
Second, subspecies is a mostly worthless taxonomic designation that doesn't particularly mean anything, especially with regard to molecular data. Something is either independently evolving with its own trajectory, or it is not. There isn't even a consensus on what a subspecies is - they have been described in the past based on clinal variation, superficial morphology, suspected "incipient speciation", low molecular variation or even just allopatry. Herp systematics as a whole, with a few "old men" holdouts, is well on its way to abandoning the subspecies concept where actual relationships have been tested statistically. I don't know who these French scientists are, but based on the representation you wrote, I suspect that this study would amount to something completely arbitrary, and less rigorous than even the most basic undergraduate project.

Instead of learning from what I wrote, you acted as you have with every other inquiry and criticism on this thread. Flying off the handle with weirdly aggressive responses both there and on Fauna. It was you who started the fight, not me, and I don't recall anyone defending you. Probably part of the reason why you were removed from the group? I don't know anything about that.

And that is exactly what a "professional BOIer" sounds like. I'm not worthy. Great post!

 

[rcarichter]

I am the moderator who removed the FB ads. As the animals in question were Iguana iguana, they did not qualify as a rare reptile. While it is true you were providing CITES paperwork, the paperwork would simply say "Iguana iguana". I asked for some sort of proof, for the sake of potential buyers, that these animals were worth several thousand dollars. Saba does indeed have black iguanas, but it also has plenty of plain green iguanas. All, including the ones for sale, are green as juveniles. Obtaining paperwork for removal of green iguanas from just about any island is fairly easy to do, and I would assume that there would be plenty of photos and documents to back up the fact that these were, in fact, Saba blacks.
As they exist right now, these animals have not been reclassified. If and when they are, and if and when the Dutch government allows exporters to remove them, the paperwork will support their value. I don't predict this happening anytime soon, as I have spent quite a bit of time in the Netherlands Antilles, and they will literally take apart your suitcase to remove a seashell. But that's a personal opinion, so not really worth two cents.

Noelle

 

[schaumda]

I am the moderator who removed the FB ads. As the animals in question were Iguana iguana, they did not qualify as a rare reptile. While it is true you were providing CITES paperwork, the paperwork would simply say "Iguana iguana". I asked for some sort of proof, for the sake of potential buyers, that these animals were worth several thousand dollars. Saba does indeed have black iguanas, but it also has plenty of plain green iguanas. All, including the ones for sale, are green as juveniles. Obtaining paperwork for removal of green iguanas from just about any island is fairly easy to do, and I would assume that there would be plenty of photos and documents to back up the fact that these were, in fact, Saba blacks.
As they exist right now, these animals have not been reclassified. If and when they are, and if and when the Dutch government allows exporters to remove them, the paperwork will support their value. I don't predict this happening anytime soon, as I have spent quite a bit of time in the Netherlands Antilles, and they will literally take apart your suitcase to remove a seashell. But that's a personal opinion, so not really worth two cents.

Noelle

Hello Noelle,

just as a small information, the export of nonCites animals from there is not a hard thing. I didn´t import from there personally, but I know a couple of people who did. But what I can say about Cites animals: Netherland Antilles are under European law when its about CITES. In Europe its not hard to get export permits for Cites animals if they are CB. Especialy the Netherlands are known to be quite easy to optain export documents. I am very into Cites paperwork in Europe, and actually, for Iguana iguana they sign them everywere as long as they are CB or WC with a licence as they are common.

However, I am not saying what you say is wrong, as what you wrote makes sence. Just showing that is surly possible to export them. But I never tried

Regards, Markus

 

[Big Time Reptiles]

I am the moderator who removed the FB ads. As the animals in question were Iguana iguana, they did not qualify as a rare reptile. While it is true you were providing CITES paperwork, the paperwork would simply say "Iguana iguana". I asked for some sort of proof, for the sake of potential buyers, that these animals were worth several thousand dollars. Saba does indeed have black iguanas, but it also has plenty of plain green iguanas. All, including the ones for sale, are green as juveniles. Obtaining paperwork for removal of green iguanas from just about any island is fairly easy to do, and I would assume that there would be plenty of photos and documents to back up the fact that these were, in fact, Saba blacks.
As they exist right now, these animals have not been reclassified. If and when they are, and if and when the Dutch government allows exporters to remove them, the paperwork will support their value. I don't predict this happening anytime soon, as I have spent quite a bit of time in the Netherlands Antilles, and they will literally take apart your suitcase to remove a seashell. But that's a personal opinion, so not really worth two cents.

Noelle

Noelle,
Thank you very much for the information & your input, it's GREATLY APPRECIATED!

Lynn Peterson
Big Time Reptiles

 

[Big Time Reptiles]

Garrett,

See Post 136~~You said and I quote, "Update: The paperwork is coming along. My guess is the shipment should arrive within the next 30 days. Give or take."

30 days plus has come & gone, you haven't ousted Michael as a liar, you haven't received the Hardwicki shipment, and you haven't paid Michael.

Maybe another 30 days, or another excuse, that seems to be your mode of operation, buying time using 30 day intervals, and other excuses. It doesn't matter how many excuses you use, NOTHING IS GOING TO CHANGE, it is, what it is, you owe, now PAY!

It's obvious the shipment hasn't & won't materialize, you've kept & used his money long enough, since Jan. 2015. MUCH to long!

This is LONG OVER DUE!

Lynn Peterson
Big Time Reptiles

 

[dieselfan]

Hey Mike! Any progress getting your money or animals from Garrett? Has Garrett coughed up ANY paperwork yet, whether it be Cities or from Pakistan? Oh and just in case anyone is wondering here is a pic of the convicted smuggler, liar,and fraud Garrett Smith aka Frogman11. Kind of funny that he is wearing lederhosen. I wonder who he got it from?

 

[Chris Kennard]

Garrett,

See Post 136~~You said and I quote, "Update: The paperwork is coming along. My guess is the shipment should arrive within the next 30 days. Give or take."

30 days plus has come & gone, you haven't ousted Michael as a liar, you haven't received the Hardwicki shipment, and you haven't paid Michael.

Maybe another 30 days, or another excuse, that seems to be your mode of operation, buying time using 30 day intervals, and other excuses. It doesn't matter how many excuses you use, NOTHING IS GOING TO CHANGE, it is, what it is, you owe, now PAY!

It's obvious the shipment hasn't & won't materialize, you've kept & used his money long enough, since Jan. 2015. MUCH to long!

This is LONG OVER DUE!

Lynn Peterson
Big Time Reptiles

Nicely put. What say you Frogman?