S.C. man pleads guilty to trade of whale teeth and bones

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WBTV) - A South Carolina man pleaded guilty to importing and selling parts of sperm whales, violating federal laws.

Lauren H. Deloach, 69, of Saint Helena Island, itted to importing sperm whale teeth and bones from Australia, Latvia, Norway and Ukraine through the course of three years.

According to records, DeLoach told suppliers to label the shipments as plastic so they would not be taken by U.S. Customs.

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DeLoach said he sold at least 85 whale pieces on eBay, totaling more than $18,000. Another $20,000 worth of whale bones and teeth was found within his house, according to law enforcement.

Importing and selling parts of a sperm whale violates the Lacey Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Sperm whales were listed under the Endangered Species Act more than 50 years ago and are protected under both acts.

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Furthermore, the United States and countries the parts of the whales were imported are part of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora – an agreement to protect animals and plants under threat of becoming extinct.

DeLoach will be sentenced at a later date and is facing a maximum prison sentence of five years and $250,000 fine under the Lacey Act charge, plus a maximum one-year prison sentence for the Marine Mammal Protection Act violation.