South Carolina Man Pleads Guilty in Sperm Whale Trafficking Case
A 69-year-old man from Saint Helena Island, South Carolina, has pleaded guilty to illegally importing and selling sperm whale teeth and bones — a violation of federal and international wildlife protection laws.
The U.S. Department of Justice announced that Lauren H. DeLoach admitted to trafficking protected marine mammal parts through at least 30 international shipments from 2021 to 2024. The shipments reportedly originated from countries including Australia, Norway, Latvia, and Ukraine.
Provided by Blue World Research Institute/Joel Cohen
Deceptive Labels and eBay Sales Used in the Scheme
In an attempt to avoid U.S. Customs detection, DeLoach instructed overseas suppliers to falsely label the shipments as “plastic.” Authorities say he then sold over 85 of the illegally imported items on eBay, turning a profit from endangered species body parts.
During a court-authorized search of his residence, federal agents seized approximately $20,000 worth of sperm whale remains, including teeth and ear bones.
According to prosecutors, the South Carolina man sperm whale trafficking operation ran from July 2022 to September 2024 — a period during which DeLoach repeatedly violated the Lacey Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).
Harsh Penalties for Violating Federal Wildlife Laws
Provided by Joel Cohen, Blue World Research Institute
Sperm whales are classified as a protected species under the Endangered Species Act and are safeguarded through international treaties. The illegal trade of their parts fuels a black-market industry that has been linked to organized crime.
“This type of illegal wildlife trafficking undermines global conservation efforts and endangers species already on the brink,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Brook B. Andrews for the District of South Carolina. “We remain committed to holding accountable anyone who profits from the exploitation of protected wildlife.”
DeLoach now faces up to five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine for the felony Lacey Act violation, and an additional one-year maximum sentence under the MMPA.
The investigation was part of “Operation Raw Deal,” a national crackdown on illegal whale part trafficking. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA Office of Law Enforcement led the case.
Defense Attorney: DeLoach ‘Regrets His Actions’
DeLoach’s attorney, Nathan Williams, told USA TODAY that his client is remorseful and that this case “does not reflect the life he has otherwise led.” U.S. District Judge David C. Norton accepted the plea and will issue sentencing after a review from the U.S. Probation Office.
Not an Isolated Case: Wildlife Crime Surging
This case adds to a string of high-profile wildlife crime investigations. In February 2025, three individuals in California were convicted for possessing and trafficking endangered animals, including an attempt to smuggle a sea turtle skull onto a commercial flight.
According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, wildlife trafficking ranks as the fourth largest form of organized crime globally, trailing only drug trafficking, counterfeiting, and human trafficking.