Sands, of Gregory, Michigan, was convicted in 2003 of violating severalstate wildlife and narcotics laws. He pleaded guilty in November 2004 to charges of illegally possessing a firearm. The guilty plea was submitted in U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan.

The sentence is the result of a joint investigation by special agents of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and law enforcement agents of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Phoenix, Ariz., and the Environmental Crimes Section of the U.S. Department of Justice prosecuted the case in federal court. In June 2003, a search warrant was executed at Sand’s residence in the Village of Gregory, Mich., as part of two (2) simultaneous federal and state investigations into the illegal trafficking of live reptiles, including state and federally protected species. During the course of the search, it was discovered that Sands had two firearms in his possession.

Sands had previously been convicted of a felony, making it illegal for him to possess firearms. The offense carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

As a result of the investigations, known as Operation E&T and Operation Slither, Sands also pleaded guilty to a total of 14 counts of wildlife and narcotics violations in the states of Ohio, Illinois and Michigan, in addition to the weapons charge.