A grand jury in Laredo indicted a Houston man on charges of trafficking sea turtle skin boots.
Alejandro Hernandez, 31, was arrested in Midland, according to US Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
The five-count indictment claims Hernandez smuggled and plotted to smuggle the footwear into the United States, sold them unlawfully, and shipped them to customers by mail.
Hernandez allegedly ran an internet store and promoted handmade boots manufactured from “any animal skin.”
He said the boots were genuine, handmade goods from Guanajuato, Mexico.
Hernandez allegedly arranged for sea turtle skin footwear to be imported from Mexico and delivered to a buyer in Houston in October of 2024. The Fish and Wildlife Service launched an inquiry into the incident.
If convicted, Hernandez faces up to 20 years in jail and a maximum punishment of $250,000.
