[CBS4|PHOTO] A Texas woman could face 20 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to smuggling a spider monkey into the country and then fleeing from law enforcement, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced.
Savannah Nicole Valdez, 20, of Katy, Texas, pleaded guilty to smuggling wildlife into the United States without first declaring and invoicing the animal, authorities said.
Valdez also pleaded guilty to fleeing an immigration checkpoint, the USAO said Tuesday.
According to a news release from the USAO, Valdez told agents the box was filled with beer she had bought in Mexico. When authorities opened the box they found a live spider monkey. Valdez was referred to secondary inspection.
Authorities say Valdez refused to comply with the agent’s instructions and sped off through the checkpoint. Valdez ran a traffic light and nearly collided with officers and other vehicles, according to the release. [FULLSTORY]
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