A Southern Illinois University graduate student in zoology who pleaded guilty to smuggling parts of endangered species into the United States was sentenced in federal court Thursday. In addition, Powell will serve six months of home confinement while wearing an electronic monitoring device.
International treaty prohibits importation of the endangered species animal parts.
According to W. Charles Grace, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, U.S. Customs officials detained Powell at Miami International Airport following a tip from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that Powell was illegally transporting endangered species. The 25th anniversary Fort Massac Encampment will feature fireworks and a special cannon fire salute among other activities during the Oct. 17-18 event at Fort Massac State Park in Metropolis. From a handful of vendors and craftspeople in 1973, we now have more than 500 participants including buckskinners, Native American and military re-enactors and vendors. A 25th anniversary fireworks show will be presented Saturday night, followed by a 10-minute military salute with cannons on the Ohio River front. The public is invited to participate in an archaeological dig at the Hayes Creek site in Pope County Oct. 18-24.