PITTSBURGH, PA. — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Pennsylvania, Western), published as received.
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Eldred, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of conspiracy to commit offenses against the United States, receipt, acquisition, or purchase of illegally transported protected plants, and falsification of records, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.
The five-count Indictment named Dale A. Smith, 59, of Eldred, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, Smith conspired to receive, acquire or purchase American ginseng plants that had been illegally transported in interstate commerce and falsified records relating to the purchase and sale of these plants.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 21 years in prison, a fine of $330,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Paul S. Sellers is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement, conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
