A high-end fashion designer was arrested and sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags from Colombia into the United States.
On Monday, April 22nd, Nancy Gonzalez was taken into custody in Miami to begin her sentence. She previously pleaded guilty to bringing into the United States handbags made from python and caiman species, which are protected wild animals, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida.
“The United States, working with the international community, has established a system to oversee the trafficking of protected wildlife species,” U.S. Attorney Markenzie Lapointe said in a press release. “The system relies on a system of licensing and supervision by many agencies and requires strict compliance from all those involved in such transactions.”
Furthermore, “business press, production deadlines, and other economic factors do not justify someone deliberately bypassing the system and attempting to create their own exceptions to wildlife trafficking laws.'' ” he continued.
United States Attorney's Office
Gonzalez, 71, and co-conspirator Mauricio Giraldo were indicted in 2022 on charges of conspiracy and smuggling between February 2016 and April 2019. Previously, Gonzalez's items have been worn by celebrities, including movie cast members. Sex and the City.
According to court memos obtained by ABC News, Gonzalez's attorney said his defense is about supporting his children and keeping his business thriving. He also said only 1% of imports violated U.S. guidelines.
“She was determined to show her children and the world that women, including minority women like herself, could pursue their dreams and become financially independent,” they wrote. “Despite all the adversity, this small but mighty woman was able to create the first luxury fashion company in a third world country.”
The newspaper also reported that Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Watts-Fitzgerald likened Gonzalez's crime to drug smuggling.
“Everything is driven by money,” Watts-Fitzgerald said. “If you want to stop criminal activity, you need a cocaine kingpin, not someone on the scene.”
Gonzalez reportedly apologized during his sentencing speech.
“From the bottom of my heart, I apologize to the United States of America,” she said. “I never intended to offend a country that owes me so much gratitude. Under pressure, I ended up making the wrong decision.”
Angela Weiss/AFP/Getty
Never miss a news. Sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up to date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to human interest stories.
Prosecutors said Gonzalez solicited friends, family and colleagues to carry alligator items in their suitcases when they traveled to the United States. They then displayed the bags at his Gzuniga Ltd. showroom in Manhattan.
“The Gonzalez case represents a strong collaboration with federal and international partners to disrupt illegal wildlife trafficking networks,” said Edward Grace, deputy director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (USFWS) Office of Law Enforcement, in a previous press release. It highlighted the importance of “This investigation uncovered a multi-year scheme in which paid couriers smuggled undeclared handbags made from CITES-protected reptile skin into the United States and sold them for thousands of dollars. Ta.”
Gonzalez's bag was sold for more than $2,000 at a high-end New York City store, according to the statement. The brand has now been ordered to hand over all items.
