Franklin Man Illegally Bought Tiger Skin Rug, Gets 1 Day In Jail

FRANKLIN, NJ — A Franklin Township man was sentenced to one day in jail for illegally purchasing a tiger skin rug made from an endangered species, United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced Wednesday.

Loren Varga, 62, must also serve two years’ of supervised release and pay a $1,500 fine. He was found guilty in July of one count of violating the Endangered Species Act and one count of violating the Lacey Act.

Varga had reportedly gone to Philadelpha in June to purchase the pelt in June, which he knew was made from an endangered species, McSwain said.

He had also tried to buy a similarly illegal tiger pelt in 2008 but was warned by the Unites States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) that it was a crime.

Varga then tried again to buy the endangered species tiger rug and when USFWS found out they arranged a sting operation to stop him. He was then arrested.

"People who make persistent efforts to own these endangered animal pelts are part of the very industry that has led these majestic animals to become endangered," said McSwain. "It is illegal and further, it is unconscionable, that someone would attempt to procure an endangered animal skin not just once, but twice. We take this type of conduct seriously and it will be prosecuted."

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