A Central Florida resident was sentenced to federal prison for trafficking Florida Box Turtles, Loggerhead Musk Turtles, and Ornate Diamondback Terrapins.
U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday has sentenced 48-year-old Kevin Olbrych, of Spring Hill, to 15 months in federal prison followed by 3 years of supervised release for Lacey Act trafficking of Florida box turtles, loggerhead musk turtles, and ornate diamondback terrapins. The Court also permanently enjoined Olbrych from possessing, caring for, transporting, selling, transferring, or distributing any animals, and ordered him to pay $7,500 to the Lacey Act Reward Fund.
According to court documents, the Tampa Police Department executed an unrelated search warrant at Olbrych’s residence in 2018. During the search, law enforcement discovered several 300-gallon pools filled with turtles and other containers for the rearing of turtles. In total, Olbrych unlawfully possessed 120 turtles. The animals were not housed properly, and Olbrych did not have proper licensure to possess them. Law enforcement confiscated the turtles and turned them over to an individual qualified to rehabilitate them on behalf of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
After the search, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service began investigating Olbrych and discovered that for years he had illegally sold turtles to a co-conspirator in Oregon who later sold them to buyers in China. Further investigation revealed that even after law enforcement seized the turtles from Olbrych’s home in 2018, he continued to traffic in turtles through 2021, including the ornate diamondback terrapin pictured in this article.
“Ensuring wildlife conservation through effective law enforcement, meeting regulatory requirements, and promoting compliance is paramount,” said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Special Agent in Charge Douglas Ault. “Our investigation led to another successful conviction in the continuous illegal turtle trade, highlighting the ongoing difficulties in safeguarding vulnerable species. These investigations underscore the vital need for rigorous law enforcement actions to uphold conservation laws and protect biodiversity worldwide.”
The Lacey Act Reward Fund is a Congressionally authorized fund available to pay for the care, treatment, and rehabilitation of wildlife pending their disposition at the conclusion of civil and criminal matters and to compensate witnesses and cooperators in criminal investigations.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with substantial assistance from the Tampa Police Department and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin Claire Favorit. Olbrych entered a guilty plea on November 17, 2023.
