Man sold boots made out of endangered sea creature’s skin in Texas, feds say
A Texas man is facing charges after officials said he sold boots made out of skin from endangered sea turtles.
Alejandro Hernandez, 31, was indicted by a grand jury and arrested after officials said he “smuggled and conspired to smuggle boots into the United States, illegally sold the boots and sent them through the mail,” according to an April 30 news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas.
Attorney information for Hernandez was not available.
Hernandez ran an online store and advertised that he would sell customized boots made from the skin of “any animal,” officials said.
He said the boots were “genuine, handmade items from Guanatuato, Mexico,” according to prosecutors.
In October 2024, Hernandez had boots made of endangered sea turtles imported into the U.S. from Mexico, officials said. He then sent the boots to a customer in Houston.
If convicted, he faces 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
This story was originally published May 1, 2025 at 5:17 PM with the headline "Man sold boots made out of endangered sea creature’s skin in Texas, feds say."
