Sea Turtle Egg Thief Sentenced to 2 Years
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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — A man who repeatedly stole eggs from the nests of endangered sea turtles was sentenced Tuesday to two years in prison.
It is believed to be the longest prison sentence imposed under the Endangered Species Act, U.S. Atty. Dexter Lehtinen said. James Bivins, 37, of West Palm Beach, pleaded guilty in June to taking 818 green and loggerhead sea turtle eggs from 17 nests on Jupiter Island Beach in August, 1988.
Bivins told authorities that customers paid him up to $15 for a dozen sea turtle eggs. Some people believe the eggs are an aphrodisiac, while others buy them for the taste.
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