Illinois man sentenced in Louisiana for turtle smuggling

NEW ORLEANS — A federal judge in New Orleans has sentenced an Illinois man to more than three years in prison for attempting to buy threatened turtles captured in violation of state law.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office says 35-year-old Keith Cantore, of Monee, Illinois, was sentenced Wednesday and was ordered to pay $41,000 in restitution.

Cantore, who had previously been convicted in an illegal turtle trafficking case, admitted to trying to buy 100 North American wood turtles.

Prosecutors say he continued to sell turtles illegally while free on bail for his most recent charges.