Below is an official news release from the US Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida regarding the indictment of brothers accused of illegally trafficking monkeys. Tampa, Florida –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return by a grand jury of an indictment charging Jimmy Wayne Hammonds a/k/a “The Monkey Whisperer,” (61, Parrish) and Johnny D-Lane Hammonds (59, St. Petersburg), with conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act and Lacey Act trafficking. If convicted on all counts, Jimmy Hammonds and Johnny Hammonds each face a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.
According to the indictment, the defendants conspired with each other to sell wildlife, and transported and sold marmosets, in violation of the laws of Florida and Georgia.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by U.S. Fish and Wildlife. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Erin Claire Favorit and Abigail K. King.
