Woodbridge Man Sentenced For Selling Ivory Sperm Whale Carving

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — A Woodbridge man was sentenced Wednesday to five years of probation, including six months of home confinement, for selling sperm whale ivory carvings across state lines, U.S Attorney Philip Sellinger announced.

Richard Gontarek, 55, of Woodbridge, previously pleaded guilty to two counts of violating the Lacey Act.

On Jan. 3, 2018, and on Dec. 6, 2018, Gontarek shipped packages containing a carving made from the tooth of a sperm whale to a buyer in Etter, Pennsylvania. Sperm whales are listed as an endangered species.

Gontarek previously said in court he knew the items he was selling violated New Jersey state law.

In New Jersey, it is illegal to sell ivory or any item made of ivory. Other U.S. states permit ivory items to be bought and sold.

Gontarek also agreed to pay a fine of $2,800 to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Lacey Act Reward Fund. The Lacey Act makes it a crime to sell any items that violate state law in the state where they are sold.

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