Lauren H. DeLoach of Saint Helena Island has admitted guilt to charges under the Lacey Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) for importing and selling parts from sperm whales. From September 2021 to September 2024, DeLoach was involved in bringing sperm whale parts into South Carolina, with over 30 shipments from countries like Australia, Latvia, Norway, and Ukraine. The court documents revealed that DeLoach advised suppliers to mislabel these items as “plastic” to avoid U.S. customs confiscation. Between July 2022 and September 2024, DeLoach sold at least 85 items on eBay, netting over $18,000. Law enforcement seized a further $20,000 worth of sperm whale parts from DeLoach's home.
The Lacey Act, a historic wildlife protection law, prohibits the sale of illegally imported wildlife. The MMPA forbids importing marine mammals, such as whales, except for scientific or species survival reasons. The sperm whale, a huge toothed whale species measuring up to 78 feet and weighing 45 tons, is a prized target for its bone and teeth, often used in art. Recognized as endangered since 1970 under the Endangered Species Act, the sperm whale is protected by international agreements like the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which the U.S. and DeLoach's importing countries have signed.
“Illegal wildlife trafficking is a multi-billion-dollar global business that endangers protected animals and fuels organized crime,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Brook B. Andrews for the District of South Carolina. “We will continue to enforce the Lacey Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act so vulnerable species like the sperm whale are not killed and sold for parts.”
Assistant Director Doug Ault of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service commented, “Whales are among the world's most iconic species, and they're also among the most vulnerable to illegal harvest driven by commercialization. The illicit trade in sperm whale teeth and ear bones contributes to the monetization of at-risk marine mammal populations that America protects through federal laws and international treaties." His remarks referred to 'Operation Raw Deal,' a nationwide effort against illegal whale parts trading.
DeLoach's potential penalties include a maximum five-year prison sentence and a $250,000 fine for the Lacey Act felony, alongside a one-year maximum prison term for the MMPA misdemeanor. U.S. District Judge David C. Norton accepted DeLoach’s guilty plea and will deliver a sentence after reviewing a U.S. Probation Office report.
The announcement was made by Acting Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson, Acting U.S. Attorney Brook B. Andrews, and Assistant Director Douglas Ault. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Law Enforcement investigated the case, with prosecution by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elle Klein and Winston Holliday alongside ENRD’s Senior Trial Attorney Ryan Connors.
