Brooklyn, NY — In a landmark wildlife trafficking case, two men have been sentenced for their roles in one of the largest bird mount smuggling operations ever prosecuted under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), federal authorities announced.
Dr. John Waldrop, 64, of Cataula, Georgia, received a $900,000 fine — one of the largest ever imposed in an ESA case — and was sentenced to three years of probation. His co-conspirator, Toney Jones, 59, of Eufala, Alabama, was sentenced to six months of probation. The sentencing was handed down in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.
Federal prosecutors say Waldrop amassed a collection of 1,401 mounted birds and 2,594 eggs, many of which were illegally imported into the United States without proper documentation or permits. Among the specimens were:
- Four eagles protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act
- 179 bird and 193 egg species protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act
- 212 bird and 32 egg species listed under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species)
The collection included some of the world’s rarest specimens, such as three eggs of the Nordmann’s Greenshank, an Asian shorebird with fewer than 1,600 remaining in the wild — a species not even represented in North American museum collections.
A Global Smuggling Operation
Between 2016 and 2020, Waldrop used online platforms like eBay and Etsy to acquire rare birds and eggs from countries across Europe, Africa, and South America, including Germany, Hungary, Lithuania, South Africa, and Uruguay. To conceal his role in the illegal trade, Waldrop had Jones receive packages at his farm and manage bank accounts used to pay international sellers.
Authorities say Jones deposited over $525,000 into an account Waldrop controlled. That money was used to finance the purchases and hide Waldrop’s direct involvement.
Waldrop pleaded guilty in August 2024 to conspiracy to smuggle wildlife and ESA violations. Jones pleaded guilty to one ESA violation.
Historic Seizure and Forfeiture
Waldrop forfeited his entire collection to authorities. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Forensics Lab determined it to be the largest bird mount seizure in its 37-year history.
“This is one of the largest bird trafficking cases in history,” said Douglas Ault, Assistant Director of the USFWS Office of Law Enforcement. “Waldrop’s collection included thousands of specimens, many of which are critically endangered. The impact of his actions on global conservation cannot be overstated.”
Acting Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division added, “Waldrop and his co-conspirators intentionally avoided permit requirements that exist to protect vulnerable species. Today’s sentencing is a strong message to others involved in the illegal wildlife trade.”
Operation Final Flight
The investigation was part of Operation Final Flight, a multi-agency effort targeting international bird trafficking. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service led the probe, with support from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Senior Trial Attorney Ryan Connors of the DOJ’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Karamigios prosecuted the case.
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