Overview

• He admitted to concealing live turtles in knotted socks and diapers inside parcels falsely labeled as containing plastic toys.
• From August 2023 through November 2024, investigators intercepted about 222 parcels carrying box turtles and other reptiles, with an estimated value of $1.4 million.
• The primary species were eastern box turtles and three-toed box turtles, which are protected under CITES and highly sought after in Asian pet markets.
• The investigation was led by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with support from Customs and Border Protection, the Postal Inspection Service and Homeland Security Investigations.
• Lin agreed to abandon any property interest in the seized reptiles and faces up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and fines when he is sentenced on December 23, 2025.