Crack Down on Rhino Horn Trade...Urge the Maximum Sentence for Michael Slattery, Jr.
Action Alert from All-Creatures.org

FROM

Born Free USA
December 2013

ACTION

Tell Judge John Gleeson to throw the book at rhino horn trader Michael Slattery, Jr.! The black rhinoceros has been driven to the brink of extinction by illicit international markets that value ornamental carvings, dagger handles, or supposed medicinal properties of rhino horn.

Please personalize your letter as much as you can, and write today to ensure that the Judge hears from you before January 10, 2014.

In November, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that Michael Slattery, Jr., an Irish national and an alleged member of an organized criminal group, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy for violating the Lacey Act, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Slattery traveled throughout the U.S. acquiring black rhino horns to sell using falsified documents.

Hon. John Gleeson
United States District Judge
Eastern District of New York
225 Cadmann Plaza East
Brooklyn, NY 11201

INFORMATION / TALKING POINTS

His hearing is scheduled for January 10, 2014 and the Judge needs to hear from you right away to impose the most strict penalty possible, hopefully deterring other rhino horn traders from engaging in this cruel commerce.

The black rhinoceros has been driven to the brink of extinction by illicit international markets that value ornamental carvings, dagger handles, or supposed medicinal properties of rhino horn. All species of rhinoceros are protected under U.S. and international law, and all black rhinoceros species are endangered. We need to send a polite yet strong message to the Judge at this hearing to let him know that this is serious business—and to ask that Michael Slattery, Jr. receives the maximum possible sentence for his crime against wildlife.

Please personalize your letter as much as you can, and write today to ensure that the Judge hears from you before January 10, 2014.

SAMPLE LETTER

Subject: Urge the maximum sentence for Michael Slattery, Jr.

Dear Judge Gleeson,

I am writing to you regarding the hearing scheduled on January 10, 2014 to sentence Michael Slattery, Jr. for violations of the Lacey Act. As a concerned citizen wanting to protect the endangered black rhinoceros from extinction, I urge you to sentence Mr. Slattery to the maximum extent permitted by law.

All species of rhinoceros are protected under U.S. and international law, and all black rhinoceros species are endangered. The black rhinoceros has been driven to the brink of extinction by illicit international markets that value ornamental carvings and alleged medicinal properties of rhinoceros horn.

Individuals such as Mr. Slattery exacerbate the decimation of the rhinoceros population in Africa, where they are poached relentlessly. A strong sentence for Mr. Slattery will send a clear message that this type of activity will not be tolerated in the U.S.

Future generations should have the opportunity to experience the beauty of these magnificent animals in the wild – not simply as bygone animals who have become extinct due to human greed. Again, please do whatever is in within your power to sentence this individual to the maximum extent of the law.

Thank you...

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Thank you for everything you do for animals!

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