Overview

• Wei Qiang Lin admitted in federal court to exporting eastern and three-toed box turtles valued at about $1.4 million.
• Inspectors discovered the live reptiles tightly bound in socks inside boxes labeled as plastic animal toys.
• Prosecutors allege he also shipped 11 additional parcels containing various reptiles, including venomous snakes.
• The turtle species are protected under CITES and are prized in overseas pet markets for their distinctive markings.
• Lin faces up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a potential $250,000 fine.