Lauren H. DeLoach, a 69-year-old resident of Saint Helena Island, South Carolina, has entered a guilty plea related to charges under the Lacey Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). These charges stem from his involvement in the illegal import and sale of sperm whale teeth and bones.
According to court records, DeLoach confessed to importing sperm whale parts into South Carolina between September 2021 and September 2024. This included at least 30 shipments sourced from countries such as Australia, Latvia, Norway, and Ukraine. To escape detection by U.S. customs, DeLoach instructed that these items be labeled as "plastic." During the period from July 2022 to September 2024, DeLoach also admitted to selling these items, violating the Lacey Act by marketing 85 items on eBay and generating over $18,000 in sales. A search of DeLoach's residence led to the seizure of additional whale parts valued at approximately $20,000.
The MMPA restricts the importation of marine mammals, such as whales, to limited contexts like public display or scientific research. Meanwhile, the Lacey Act is a long-standing wildlife protection statute prohibiting the sale of any illegally imported wildlife. Sperm whales, specifically, have been recognized under the Endangered Species Act since 1970 and are safeguarded by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The United States and the countries from which DeLoach imported these parts are signatories to CITES.
Acting U.S. Attorney Brook B. Andrews emphasized, "Illegal wildlife trafficking is a multi-billion-dollar global business that endangers protected animals and fuels organized crime. 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."
Doug Ault, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement Assistant Director, stated, "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." He also highlighted the role of "Operation Raw Deal," a nationwide initiative aimed at tackling the illegal whale parts trade.
For the violation of the felony Lacey Act, DeLoach could face up to five years in prison and a fine of $250,000, while the misdemeanor MMPA breach carries a maximum one-year sentence. The guilty plea was accepted by United States District Judge David C. Norton, who will determine the sentence following a report from the U.S. Probation Office.
The announcement came from Acting Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD), alongside Acting U.S. Attorney Brook B. Andrews and Assistant Director Douglas Ault. Investigators involved in the case include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Law Enforcement. Prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elle Klein and Winston Holliday, with Senior Trial Attorney Ryan Connors of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section.