CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A 46-year-old Aransas Pass woman has been taken into federal custody for smuggling and illegally transferring merchandise into the country, per the United States Attorney's Office.
Jennifer Mayo turned herself into authorities just last week on June 27 for allegedly smuggling Dong Tao Chicken eggs and hatchlings into the United States. She was expected to make her first court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Julie Hampton for the charge on Monday. If convicted, she faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
As part of the investigation, authorities seized the chickens-- due to their health-- they had to be euthanized and are being held pending further investigation and evaluation.
According to an indictment, it is illegal to import poultry into the United States from regions where diseases such as bird flu or Newcastle disease exist in commercial poultry populations-- unless specific conditions are met.
The charges allege that Mayo conducted the illegal activity between Aug. 1, 2023, to Sept. 15, 2023.She is accused of facilitating the transportation and concealment of the rare chicken eggs and hatchlings.
The Department of Agriculture conducted the investigation with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Liesel Roscher is prosecuting the case.
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