Endangered Turtle Trafficking
Iowa Man Charged with Over 100 Counts for Endangered Turtle Trafficking
An Iowa man is facing more than 100 criminal charges in Winston County, Alabama after allegedly capturing and selling a critically endangered turtle species found nowhere else on Earth. Aiden Throndson was arrested on August 8 near Highway 278 and County Road 73, according to WTOK.
Throndson faces 20 counts of illegally taking or capturing flattened musk turtles, plus 104 counts of selling protected species, KCTV5 reported. He was held on a $100,000 cash bond plus an additional $5,200 good bond. His attorney has not commented on the charges.
What Makes the Flattened Musk Turtle So Rare
The flattened musk turtle is a critically endangered species. It lives only in Alabama — found in no other state or country. Its unique flat shell helps it hide under rocks in fast-moving streams. Because of its extreme rarity, state and federal law strictly protect it from capture, trade, or sale.
Wildlife trafficking experts say rare turtles like this one are highly prized in illegal pet markets. A single specimen can fetch hundreds or even thousands of dollars from private collectors. That demand drives poachers to target protected species, even at great legal risk, according to Fox 10.
124 Charges Filed Against the Iowa Suspect
Throndson faces a total of 124 charges combined. The 20 capture-related counts each represent a separate act of taking a protected turtle. The 104 selling charges suggest a large-scale operation, not a one-time mistake, Cleveland 19 reported.
Prosecutors filed the charges in Winston County, Alabama — far from Throndson's home state of Iowa. That detail suggests he may have traveled specifically to collect turtles from their only known habitat. Authorities have not yet detailed how many turtles were seized or recovered.
$105,200 Bond Set After August Arrest
Throndson was arrested on August 8 at the intersection of Highway 278 and County Road 73. After his arrest, a judge set his bond at $100,000 cash plus a $5,200 good bond, according to 1011 Now. The high bond signals that authorities view him as a serious flight risk.
His attorney has made no public statement about the case. It is not yet known when Throndson is due in court or whether he has entered a plea, KTTC reported.
Wildlife Trafficking Laws Carry Serious Penalties
Alabama law makes it illegal to take, capture, or sell any state-protected species. Each violation can be charged as a separate count — which explains why Throndson faces so many charges from what may have been a single trip or short operation, Hawaii News Now reported.
Federal wildlife laws can also apply when protected animals cross state lines. If federal charges follow, Throndson could face even steeper penalties. Wildlife crime convictions in similar cases have resulted in prison sentences and heavy fines, according to Alaska's News Source.
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