SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- A second man has been charged in the smuggling of a Bengal tiger cub into the United States from Mexico on August 23, 2017.
Eriberto Paniagua - who allegedly told officials at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry that the Bengal tiger cub at his feet was merely a “cat” - was indicted by a federal grand jury and made his first court appearance on Monday.
According to the indictment unsealed today, the 21-year-old conspired with the driver of the car, 18-year-old Luis Valencia, and others to knowingly import the tiger cub into the United States.
Both men are from Perris, California.
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Both defendants are charged with one count of conspiracy and one count of smuggling contrary to law.
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