2 Florida Men Indicted For Illegal Marmoset Trafficking "The Monkey Whisperer"

Jimmy Wayne Hammonds A federal grand jury has indicted two Florida men for allegedly conspiring to illegally traffic marmosets. 61-year-old Jimmy

A federal grand jury has indicted two Florida men for allegedly conspiring to illegally traffic marmosets. 61-year-old Jimmy Wayne Hammonds, also known as “The Monkey Whisperer,” of Parrish, and 59-year-old Johnny D-Lane Hammonds of St. Petersburg, are facing charges of conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act and Lacey Act trafficking.

The Lacey Act is a federal law that prohibits the illegal trade of wildlife, fish, and plants. According to the indictment, the Hammonds conspired to sell and transport marmosets in violation of both federal and state laws.

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If convicted on all counts, each defendant could face up to 10 years in federal prison. However, an indictment is simply a formal accusation, and both men are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Erin Claire Favorit and Abigail K. King will prosecute the case.

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