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A Florida man who is known as "The Monkey Whisperer" pleaded guilty after officials say he illegally sold a capuchin monkey "to a celebrity client in California," who PETA revealed to be entertainer, Chris Brown.
According to records from the United States District Court, Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division, Jimmy Wayne Hammonds, of Parrish, Florida pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act and three counts of violating the endangered species act.
The Lacey Act, which says it’s illegal to "import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase any wildlife that were taken, possessed, transported, or sold in violation of any law or regulation of any state or the United States."
Hammonds's plea agreement says that the man breeds and sells exotic wildlife, but between 2017 and 2018 he illegally sold a capuchin monkey to an unlicensed California resident, that's when federal officials stepped in.
Hammonds was paid $12,650 for the monkey and additional expenses for transporting the animal to California, according to the documents. Records show the transporter took the capuchin to Nevada to meet up with an associate of the buyer, who PETA identified as Chris Brown.
In October 2017, the monkey was delivered to its new owner, but by January 2018, law enforcement showed up to confiscate the primate. That November, law enforcement officers say Hammonds turned in false documents for the sale of the monkey.
Hammonds faces a maximum penalty of 8 years in federal prison and a sentencing date has not been set at this time.