A Houston man has been indicted by a grand jury in Laredo for his role in trafficking boots made of sea turtle skin.
Law enforcement has taken Alejandro Hernandez, 31, into custody in Midland, U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced.
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The five-count indictment alleges Hernandez smuggled and conspired to smuggle the boots into the United States, sold them illegally, and transported them to buyers through the mail.
Hernandez allegedly operated an online store where he advertised selling custom boots made from “any animal skin.”
He claimed the boots were genuine handmade items from Guanajuato, Mexico.
In Oct. 2024, Hernandez allegedly caused sea turtle skin boots to be imported from Mexico and sent them to a customer in Houston. The Fish and Wildlife Service conducted the investigation into the situation.
If convicted, Hernandez could face up to 20 years in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
