A Lomita man pleaded guilty Monday to attempting to smuggle 15 live lizards from Australia through customs at Los Angeles International Airport by strapping the reptiles to his chest.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said 41-year-old Michael J. Plank was returning from Australia last Nov. 17 when U.S. Customs agents found two geckos, two monitor lizards and 11 skinks -- another type of lizard -- stuffed into a money belt he was wearing.
All Australian reptiles are strictly regulated, and Plank did not have a permit for the lizards, officials said. The lizards' value totals more than $8,500, according to estimates.
Plank entered his plea before U.S. District Judge Otis D. Wright II to a charge of smuggling wildlife into the United States, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
He is free on $10,000 bond pending sentencing on Oct. 18.
