Waterdown resident pleads guilty to snake smuggling offences

A Waterdown man has been sentenced to two 90-day jail sentences, to be served concurrently, two years probation and fined $4,000 after pleading guilty to offences relating to the illegal capture, possession, transportation and buying and selling of species at risk

According to a press release issued by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Monday, Emanuele esoro was arrested by U.S. authorities in the state of New York on October 15 following an investigation that revealed Tesoro crossed the Canada/U.S. border illegally transporting a total of 35 Eastern Massassauga rattlesnakes and one spotted turtle between May 2008 and October 2008.

In addition to the MNR charges, Tesoro also pled guilty to an Environment Canada violation regarding cross-border trade in timber rattlesnakes under the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International ind Interprovincial Trade Act and a Canada Border Services Agency charge regarding smuggling under the Customs Act.