California Man Charged With Illegally Importing Reptiles From Mexico Into US

Jose Manuel Perez, of Oxnard, California, was charged in a superseding indictment with allegedly illegally importing over 1,700 reptiles, including 60 found in his clothes, into the U.S. from Mexico, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California said March 24. Perez faces one count of conspiracy, nine counts of smuggling goods into the U.S. and two counts of wildlife trafficking. His sister, Stephany Perez, also of Oxnard, is charged in the indictment with conspiracy.