KS Man guilty in leopard sale

A 59 year old Osage City man pleaded guilty Tuesday to unlawfully selling a federally protected endangered black leopard in January 2005.

John E. Shirey pleaded guilty to interstate transportation and sale of an endangered species during a hearing before U.S. District Judge Richard Rogers in Topeka.

U.S. Attorney Eric Melgren said Shirey, in his plea, admitted that on Jan. 11, 2005, he traveled to Nebraska carrying a black leopard kitten and was arrested after he exchanged the animal for $1,300 with an undercover U.S. Fish and Wildlife agent.

Shirey faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for June 23

http://cjonline.com/stories/032206/loc_leopard.shtml

For the cats,

Carole Baskin, CEO of Big Cat Rescue

an Educational Sanctuary home

to more than 100 big cats

12802 Easy Street Tampa, FL 33625

813.493.4564 fax 885.4457

http://www.BigCatRescue.org MakeADifference@BigCatRescue.org

Sign our petition here:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/344896451?ltl=1140270431