United States of America v. Graham Scott Criglow

Victoria, TX - Anderson Man Sentenced for Smuggling Orangutan Skulls



A professional reptile breeder has entered a guilty plea to smuggling two orangutan skulls into the country from Indonesia.



Graham Scott Criglow, 39, pleaded guilty before Senior U.S. District Judge John D. Rainey. Criglow was ordered to pay a $2,500 fine and must serve three years of probation.



“One of our highest priorities is to combat wildlife trafficking here in the United States and abroad as we are on the front lines protecting those animals listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species,” said Chavez. “The successful outcome of this investigation is also the result of working with the U.S. Attorney's Office, where these individuals and companies are held responsible for their actions. I hope this sentence sends a strong message to those that are involved in smuggling wildlife that the crime is not worth the outcome.”



Criglow was charged by a criminal information with one count of smuggling two orangutan (Pongo species) skulls into the U.S. Orangutans are protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The ESA prohibits any person subject to the jurisdiction of the U.S. to engage in the trade of any wildlife contrary to the provisions of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).



During the plea today, the court learned that Criglow was the owner of Strange Cargo Exotics, which was an Internet-based wildlife related business he operated from his Anderson residence. Criglow’s business was engaged in the breeding, sale and trade of reptiles, including venomous snakes.



In April 2016, FWS inspectors at the San Francisco International Airport examined a parcel from Indonesia addressed to Criglow. The parcel lacked an Indonesian customs declaration and was screened using an x-ray machine. The inspectors determined the parcel contained two primate skulls. A morphology examination determined the wildlife was two orangutan skulls.



In May 2016, agents conducted a controlled delivery of the skulls at Criglow’s residence and executed a search warrant, at which time agents located several other animal skulls and bones. Authorities also located human remains including approximately 30 human skulls which were found to be legally purchased by Criglow for his personal collection.



The charges were the result of an investigation conducted by FWS with the assistance of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.



Title 18 §545. Smuggling goods into the United States



Whoever knowingly and willfully, with intent to defraud the United States, smuggles, or clandestinely introduces or attempts to smuggle or clandestinely introduce into the United States any merchandise which should have been invoiced, or makes out or passes, or attempts to pass, through the customhouse any false, forged, or fraudulent invoice, or other document or paper; or



Whoever fraudulently or knowingly imports or brings into the United States, any merchandise contrary to law, or receives, conceals, buys, sells, or in any manner facilitates the transportation, concealment, or sale of such merchandise after importation, knowing the same to have been imported or brought into the United States contrary to law—



Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both.



Proof of defendant's possession of such goods, unless explained to the satisfaction of the jury, shall be deemed evidence sufficient to authorize conviction for violation of this section.



Merchandise introduced into the United States in violation of this section, or the value thereof, to be recovered from any person described in the first or second paragraph of this section, shall be forfeited to the United States.



The term “United States”, as used in this section, shall not include the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Wake Island, Midway Islands, Kingman Reef, Johnston Island, or Guam.

Defendant was sentenced to pay a $2,500 fine and must serve three years of probation.