A Southern California couple has been indicted in San Diego federal court on charges of smuggling sea turtle eggs into the United States from Mexico, officials said on Wednesday, a first for prosecutors in the border region.
Jose Jimenez, 64, and Olga Jimenez, 52, both U.S. citizens, were charged with one criminal count each of conspiracy, smuggling, unlawful trafficking in wildlife and importation, according to the indictment filed on Tuesday.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Melanie Pierson said the indictment marked the first time criminal charges have been brought in the Southern District of California for smuggling sea turtle eggs . . .
