Long Island Man Pleads Guilty to Trafficking Rare Insects, Faces Up to 5 Years in Prison

A Long Island man, Charles Limmer, 75, has pleaded guilty to illegally trafficking birdwing butterflies and other rare insects. According to a plea deal filed in Brooklyn federal court, Limmer admitted to conspiring to smuggle wildlife into the country and agreed to pay a $30,215 penalty. Additionally, he will hand over his collection of roughly 1,000 butterflies, moths, and other insects. He faces up to 5 years in prison when sentenced.

Guilty Plea and Penalties

The plea deal specifies that Limmer falsely labeled shipments as "decorative wall coverings" and "origami paper craft" to bypass U.S. laws. Some of the dried specimens include birdwing butterflies, which are among the rarest and largest in the world. Limmer was indicted last year on six counts related to wildlife smuggling, including violations of the federal Lacey Act’s prohibitions on falsely labeling and trafficking in wildlife. He could have received a 20-year sentence if convicted at trial.

Illegal Activities and Smuggling Methods

Limmer circumvented U.S. laws by labeling shipments as "decorative wall coverings," "origami paper craft," and "wall decorations." He sold some of the dried lepidoptera specimens through an eBay account under the name "limmerleps," pocketing tens of thousands of dollars. The illegal trafficking also involved working with overseas collaborators to smuggle some 1,000 lepidoptera, including some of the most endangered moths and butterflies in the world, even after his import/export license was suspended in October 2022.

Federal law prohibits the commercial export or import of wildlife without permission from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Limmer’s lawyer didn’t immediately comment Wednesday.