River Wonders On the Run.. Don't buy from them..

I got a PM off a different website about this..

The US Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement, is seeking the assistance of fish collectors, hobbyists, and dealers in locating ISAAC ZIMERMAN, a wanted fugitive. Isaac Zimerman is the owner and operator of two fish businesses in the Los Angeles, California area -- River Wonders ([You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] and Da Tien Pets. The companies are involved in the import, export, and sale of exotic fish from around the world.

Last year, Isaac Zimerman and River Wonders, LLC were indicted in US Federal District Court for smuggling invasive species, smuggling CITES protected fish, conspiracy, false statements, interstate trafficking in prohibited species, and falsifying CITES documents. After his arrest in August 2009, Isaac Zimerman was released on bond pending trial. In May 2010, the indictment was amended to include new charges of smuggling CITES protected fish while on pre-trial release, bringing the indictment to a total of 13 counts. In July 2010, Isaac Zimerman failed to appear for a scheduled court conference and a warrant was issued for his immediate arrest. Since that time, USFWS special agents have learned that Isaac Zimerman has intentionally fled to avoid prosecution.

Isaac Zimerman's two sons, Erik Zimerman and Eitan Zimerman, are closely involved in the River Wonders business operations but have not been charged with any violations of law. However, they may still be in contact with their father.

The special agents of the USFWS know that the majority of fish hobbyists and dealers operate within the law and respect the need to protect imperiled species around the world and to guard against the introduction of potentially harmful invasive species. Accordingly, we are reaching out to you at this time to help us apprehend this fugitive from justice.

If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of ISAAC ZIMERMAN, please immediately contact the US Fish and Wildlife Service in Los Angeles at 310-678-4901 and ask to speak to the duty agent. You can also contact the case agent via email at [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.].

Thank you for your cooperation.

Special Agent Ed Newcomer

US Fish and Wildlife Service - Los Angeles

Thanks for sharing! I have considered buying from these guys on a couple of occasions.

Yea me too, i looked at their rays before. Hope no one has any pending orders to be shipped out.. They're gonna be S.O.L.

Another update i found...

For Immediate Release Contact: August 3, 2010

US Fish and Wildlife Service Seeks Public’s Assistance in Apprehending Fugitive Who Allegedly Sold Piranhas and Other Protected Species
LOS ANGELES -- Special agents of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are seeking the public’s assistance in locating a San Fernando Valley man who is a fugitive after failing to appear in federal court after being charged with multiple offenses involving the smuggling and trafficking of protected wildlife species, including piranhas.

Isaac Zimerman, 61, of West Hills, failed to appear for a scheduled court hearing on July 12, at which time a federal judge issued a warrant for his arrest. Fish and Wildlife agents have since learned that Zimerman may have fled the area as early as June 21. The agents believe that Zimerman will attempt to leave the United States, if he has not done so already.

Zimerman; his Hawthorne-based company, River Wonders; and his wife were indicted by a federal grand jury in Los Angeles in August 2009. In May 2010, the three defendants were named in a 13-count superseding indictment that specifically accuses Zimerman of conspiracy, illegal fish trafficking, smuggling fish into the United States, falsifying documents, obstructing an investigation by the Fish and Wildlife Service, making false statements to the Fish and Wildlife Service, smuggling fish out of the United States, and smuggling fish out of the United States while free on bond in this case. Most of the 13 felony counts in the indictment carry statutory maximum sentences of five years in federal prison.

The indictment alleges that Zimerman illegally imported and sold live piranha and fresh water stingrays. It is illegal to possess or sell live piranhas and fresh water stingrays in California and across most of the southern United States. Both are considered invasive species that could become established and pose a threat to humans and to native species if intentionally or accidentally released into the temperate waters of states with warm climates. The indictment also alleges that he illegally imported and exported arapaima (Arapaima gigas), a fish protected by the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

In addition to River Wonders, Zimerman owns Da Tien Pets in Gardena, California. He uses both companies to sell, import and export live fish and some reptiles for the pet trade.

Zimerman’s wife, Leonore Catalina Zimerman, pleaded guilty in June to illegal fish trafficking and is scheduled to be sentenced in United States District Court on September 20.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is offering a reward to anyone who provides information leading to Zimerman’s arrest.
# # #Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is encouraged to contact the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Office of Law Enforcement in Los Angeles at 310-678-4901 and ask to speak to the duty agent.

zimerman_dl_photo.jpg ( 7.36K ) Number of downloads: 23

fish_smuggling___Zimerman_fugitive_release_1.pdf ( 70.86K ) Number of downloads: 17


Anyone with information is urged to contact the correct authorities in regards to this individual.

Richard

LOL funny because If he would have just fessed up and gone to court he probably would have only gotten a HUGE fine and a year or two in prison.

Yep, and now he's looking at big time, plus if he fleas the country he's really screwed.. I hate guys like this, they are what gives us fish hobbiest a bad name.

Yeah really... and that is part of the reason why certain fish are banned.