S.C. man sentenced for trafficking sperm whale parts – WRDW

CHARLESTON, S.C. – A man has been ordered to pay $15,000 after trafficking sperm whale bones, teeth, and other parts for at least three years.
Lauren Deloach, 69, of St. Helena, has been sentenced to 30 days of home confinement and a $15,000 fine for violations of the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Lacey Act, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
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Prosecutors say evidence obtained in the investigation revealed Deloach illegally imported, sold, and possessed sperm whale teeth and bones from September 2021 through September 2024.
Deloach knew importing and selling these whale parts was illegal and would falsely label shipments with these products to avoid detection from law enforcement, officials say.
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U.S. District Judge David C. Norton imposed a $15,000 fine on Deloach to be paid to the Lacey Act Reward Fund to serve as a deterrent and assist future wildlife trafficking investigations.
Norton also sentenced Deloach to 30 days of home confinement and two years of probation.

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