The US Division of Justice revealed an official assertion a few Florida man who was sentenced for violating the Lacey Act. Tampa, Florida – Jimmy Wayne Hammonds (62, Parrish), a/ok/a “The Monkey Whisperer,” has been sentenced by U.S. District Decide Mary S. Scriven to 9 months in federal jail, adopted by three years of supervised launch, for conspiring to violate the Lacey Act and Lacey Act trafficking. Hammonds pleaded responsible on October 23, 2025. The court docket additionally ordered Hammonds to pay a $60,000 fantastic to profit the Lacey Act Reward Fund and positioned a ban on Hammonds from possessing, breeding, promoting, transporting, or exhibiting any wildlife. U.S. Legal professional Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
Based on court docket paperwork, Hammonds, regardless of being a convicted Lacey Act trafficker and on federal probation, ran a enterprise known as, “The Monkey Whisperer, LLC,” that specialised in promoting primates and different unique animals. By means of his enterprise’s social media account, Hammonds linked with a person who was an spy. At Hammonds’s request, the conversations moved to an encrypted texting app to debate potential wildlife gross sales. Hammonds agreed to promote the spy two frequent marmosets for $7,400. Hammonds organized for the transaction to happen in Georgia to keep away from legislation enforcement oversight. The 2 frequent marmosets are pictured under.
Because of this prosecution, Hammonds surrendered his possession of 67 animals to incorporate quite a few primate species, muntjac deer, lemurs, kangaroos, wallabies, and otters.
Hammonds’ violation of probation listening to will happen on April 2, 2026.
This case was investigated by america Fish and Wildlife Service with substantial help from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Fee. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Erin Claire Favorit and Abigail Okay. King.
