Feds Charge Bala Cynwyd Man With Smuggling African Elephant Ivory

A 68-year-old Philadelphia art store owner, described by several news outlets as a Bala Cynwyd resident, is facing federal charges of trafficking African elephant ivory, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Tuesday.

Victor Gordon, owner of Victor Gordon Enterprises at 3rd and Church streets in Philadelphia, appeared in federal court in Brooklyn, NY, on Tuesday and was released on $1 million bond, the Associated Press reported. FWS spokesman Robert Nardoza said Gordon is due in court again Tuesday. He faces 10 counts of various felonies.

More than one ton of ivory was seized; FWS officials displayed much of it at a news conference Wednesday in Philadelphia. Gordon faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted, officials said.

A sign on Gordon's shop door Wednesday morning said "OPEN", but the locked gates across the entire storefront said otherwise.

Patch will have more on this story as it develops.