Farmingdale Man Tried To Ship 10 Iguanas Labeled As 'Toys'

FARMINGDALE, NJ — A Farmingdale man tried to ship off 10 rhinoceros iguanas to Hong Kong falsely passing them off as toys, according to Acting U.S Attorney Rachael A. Honig.

Jason Ksepka, 44, pleaded guilty to one count of violating the Lacey Act by falsely labeling an international shipment of wildlife, Honig said.

Ksepka labeled the package with the animals as "toys" and the sender as "Luke Jacobs."

He shipped them from the U.S. Post Office in Lambertville via U.S. Priority Mail Express. One day later the package was intercepted by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Inspectors at John F. Kennedy International Airport, in New York City.

According to Honig, Ksepka was paid $500 by someone to take care of the shipment. That same person had paid Ksepka $500 one year before to ship approximately 10 additional rhinoceros iguanas to Hong Kong.

Ksepka agreed to pay a fine of $1,000 to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Lacey Act Reward Fund, as part of his plea agreement.

He now faces a sentence of up to five years in prison and a fine of $250,000. His sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 25.