Man pleads guilty to illegally importing green sea turtle head

BEAUFORT COUNTY, S.C. (WTOC) - Federal prosecutors have charged a man with illegally importing the head of a green sea turtle — a species protected under CITES and the Endangered Species Act.

The United States District Court for the District of South Carolina Beaufort Division alleges that in September of 2023, John Maurice Trask III, “did knowingly import, export, transport, acquire, and purchase a green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) head.”

The green sea turtle is listed on Appendix I of CITES, which according to the NOAA, “includes species threatened with extinction and provides the greatest level of protection, including a prohibition on commercial trade.”

The filing alleges Trask III should have known the said sea turtle was, “taken, possessed, transported, or sold” unlawfully.

See filing below:

On December 1, 2025, Trask III plead guilty to a misdemeanor Lacey Act violation for unlawful import/possession of wildlife.

The penalty of this offense is a maximum term of one year in prison, a fine of $100,00 for individual violators, probation up to five years, and special assessment $25 per count.

As a part of his plea agreement he agrees to forfeit a sea turtle head mount recovered by law enforcement on Sept. 16, 2025 and six Turkish items, also recovered on that date.

See full plea agreement below:

Click here to learn more about the endangered green sea turtle.