Houston man charged with using endangered sea turtles to make boots

LAREDO, TX -- A Laredo grand jury has indicted a 31-year-old Houston man for his role in trafficking boots made of sea turtle skin, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

Law enforcement has taken Alejandro Hernandez into custody in Midland. He is making his initial appearance there before U.S. Magistrate Judge Roland Griffin.

The five-count indictment alleges Hernandez smuggled and conspired to smuggle boots into the United States, illegally sold the boots and sent them through the mail.

Hernandez allegedly operated an online store where he advertised selling custom boots made from any animal skin. He claimed the boots were genuine handmade items from Guanajuato, Mexico, according to the charges.

In October 2024, Hernandez allegedly caused sea turtle skin boots to be imported from Mexico and sent them to a customer in Houston.

If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

Fish and Wildlife Service conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan L. Oliver is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.