St. Cloud State prof charged with smuggling ivory, rhino horns
A St. Cloud State University philosophy professor appeared in U.S. District Court in St. Paul Tuesday on charges of smuggling elephant ivory and rhinoceros horn between the United States and his home country of China.
Yiwei Zheng worked with two co-conspirators living in China to sell the "highly valued and sought after commodity" between 2006 and 2011, a federal indictment said.
Zheng allegedly violated an international treaty that provides protection to fish, wildlife and plants that are in high demand in international markets.
The 1976 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild Fauna and Flora, otherwise known as (CITES) is signed by more than 180 countries including the U.S. and China.
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CITES was implemented in the United States under the authority of the Endangered Species Act. An animal species protected by CITES cannot be legally exported from the United States without approval from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Federal authorities say Zheng purchased and sold products online and from antique dealers and shipped them via United States Postal Service while concealing their true content.
He allegedly ran a business dubbed "Ancient Coin" and "Crouching Dragon Antiques" where he traded items made from ivory and rhinoceros horn.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife officers arrested Zheng in St. Cloud Tuesday and he made his first appearance in federal court in St. Paul later in the day. Judge Steven Rau released him on $25,000 bond. Zheng had to surrender his passport. He cannot leave the state without court approval.
A U.S. Attorney's Office spokesman called it an unusual case in Minnesota, but says there is a trend of such cases nationwide.
Zheng gave a few one word answers to reporters after his court appearance. He said he expects to fight the charges against him and that his business is legitimate.
When asked if the charges were a shock to him, Zheng responded. "Yes, life is full of surprises."
St. Cloud State University spokesman Adam Hammer said Zheng remains employed by the school. A formal review process would have to take place in order to change his status, but that has not happened.
Zheng's classes will continue, Hammer said, whether he teaches the classes or someone else fills in.