Phoenix Man Sentenced for Role in Illegal Wildlife Trafficking Scheme

Raymond Rabago Montoya sentenced to over a year in prison for smuggling exotic animals from Mexico into the U.S.Photo byBruno MartinsonUnsplash

PHOENIX—Raymond Anthony Rabago Montoya, 23, of Phoenix, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for his involvement in an illegal wildlife trafficking operation, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona announced today.

In addition, Rabago Montoya was ordered to pay $3,000 to the Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund, the department said.

His co-defendant and mother, Griselda Guadalupe Montoya-Gastelum, 50, of Sonora, Mexico, was sentenced earlier, on July 8, 2024, to 18 months in prison and three years of supervised release, the department says.

According to the department, both defendants pleaded guilty in April 2024 to Conspiracy to Violate the Lacey Act, a law that prohibits the illegal trade of wildlife.

The U.S. Attorney's Office stated that the defendants orchestrated the illegal importation of exotic and protected wildlife from Mexico, including tigers, panthers, monkeys, and exotic parrots, into the U.S. through ports of entry.

The department noted that the animals were smuggled for financial gain, concealed from authorities during transport.

The investigation began in August 2022 after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service received a tip from a buyer who believed the exotic parrots, they purchased from Rabago Montoya were illegally imported, according to the department.

This information led to a January 2023 search at the home of Carlos Castro, where law enforcement found a tiger cub, an alligator, 12 snapping turtles, 6 tortoises, and other reptiles.

The department stated that Snapchat messages revealed communications between Montoya-Gastelum and Castro regarding the illegal sale and trade of exotic animals.

The department also confirmed that undercover federal agents purchased spider monkeys from the defendants in two separate transactions in April and May 2023, each for $6,000.

In June and August 2023, law enforcement encountered Rabago Montoya transporting dozens of endangered parrots, many of which were found dead in his vehicle.

Rabago Montoya and Montoya-Gastelum were indicted on September 12, 2023, and arrested the following day, the department stated.

“Once again we see Arizonans profiting from the concealment of contraband through the Nogales and Lukeville Ports of Entry,” said United States Attorney Gary Restaino in a statement.

“Here, in lieu of controlled substances we have mistreated protected animals: and the sentences imposed send strong messages both of deterrence and of the importance of robust environmental protections.”