July 26, 2025 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Hearing Delayed in Melrose Avenue Skulls & Seahorses Case

Nancy Delap Smith and her Melrose Avenue store, Necromance, are each charged with misdemeanor counts of violating the Endangered Species Act by knowingly importing protected seahorses and bat skulls without the proper permits, according to court documents. Image via Google Maps.
Nancy Delap Smith and her Melrose Avenue store, Necromance, are each charged with misdemeanor counts of violating the Endangered Species Act by knowingly importing protected seahorses and bat skulls without the proper permits, according to court documents. Image via Google Maps.

A hearing involving alleged Endangered Species Act violations was delayed today for the owner of a West Hollywood curio shop that specializes in taxidermy, animal skulls and dried or preserved bats, scorpions and seahorses.

Nancy Delap Smith and her Melrose Avenue store, Necromance, are each charged with misdemeanor counts of violating the Endangered Species Act by knowingly importing protected seahorses and bat skulls without the proper permits, according to court documents.

U.S. Magistrate Judge John E. McDermott set a Feb. 22 status conference in the case.

“The laws are designed to protect plant and wildlife that is threatened,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Dennis Mitchell. “In this case, documentation is needed to bring these items into the country.”

The case stems from packages sent from Indonesia to the store that were intercepted in March and May of 2011 by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection international mail facility.

Mailing labels identified the contents as containing keychains and freeze-dried bats “for educational study,” according to the declaration of a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agent who investigated the case.

Upon examination, the first package allegedly contained numerous dried seahorses — attached to keychains — mantises, scorpions, tree frogs, sleeping fruit bats and hanging fruit bats, the agent wrote.

The package also allegedly included a document “which incorrectly or falsely” stated that the shipment contained no species on the CITES  — Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora — checklist. The international agreement aims to ensure that trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.

The agent wrote that the second package, intercepted two months later, contained additional seahorse keychains and numerous bat skulls found to be protected under CITES.  An invoice described the seahorse keychains as a non- CITES item, according to the agent’s declaration.

Prosecutors contend that Smith was aware that the contents of the Indonesia shipments could contain protected wildlife products.

Related Posts

LAPD to Conduct DUI Checkpoints Across City This Weekend

July 26, 2025

July 26, 2025

LAPD officials said checkpoint locations are chosen based on areas with high numbers of DUI-related crashes and arrests The Los...

Metro D Line Resumes Today After 70-Day Closure

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

The shutdown, which began May 17, enabled Metro to connect the current line to newly built tunnels extending west under...

TODAY: Venice Artbeat Celebrates Community and Supports Local Causes

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

The event offers live music, dance performances, live art, food, and storytelling Venice Artbeat, a community-focused festival, takes place on...

Sunset Jazz & Pizza Series Returns to The Lobster

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

The series blends jazz from a three-piece house band with handcrafted pizzas and $5 Open Brewing beers  The Lobster’s popular...

Los Angeles Marks Milestone in Youth Sports Enrollment

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

A program has surpassed one million enrollments, providing low-cost and, in some cases, free access to youth and adaptive sports ...

LAHSA Appoints New Interim CEO Amid System Transitions

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

The agency is navigating uncertainty following the county’s decision to create a separate homelessness department and shifting federal policy priorities...

Venice Chamber Installs New Board at Community Event

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

Representatives from multiple levels of government were in attendance The Venice Chamber of Commerce welcomed its newly elected 2025–26 Board...

Measles Case Confirmed in LA, Officials Urge Vaccination

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

Investigators are working to identify potential exposures and assess the risk to others Health officials have confirmed a case of...

In Your Time of Need, Woodlawn Cemetery is Available

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

By Susan Payne  For over 125 years, Woodlawn Cemetery, Mausoleum & Mortuary, wholly owned and operated by the city of...

Going for the throat

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

Coach Bill Schuman expects protégé Golda Zahra to hold back nothing  By Linda Chase World famous competitors hire special coaches...

Suspect Arrested in Fatal Brentwood Whole Foods Stabbing, Area to See Increased Police Presence

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

The suspect, initially described as a man in his early 20s wearing dark clothing, fled the scene on foot.  A...

(Video) Seniors Age with Dignity at Wise & Healthy Aging’s Adult Day Center

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

For More Information, Go To Wiseandhealthyaging.org/ Seniors Age with Dignity at Wise & Healthy Aging’s Adult Day Center. For More...

California Reports 13% Drop in Vehicle Thefts in 2024, First Decline Since 2019

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

Southern California accounted for 53.21% of thefts, with Los Angeles County alone representing 61.83% of the region’s total California reported...

LAPD Pacific Boosters’ West LA Summer Carnival Takes Place This Weekend

July 24, 2025

July 24, 2025

The carnival will feature amusement rides for all ages, arcade-style games, and traditional fair food The LAPD Pacific Area Boosters...

Venice Ale House is Now the European-Inspired ‘Venice Beach Club’

July 24, 2025

July 24, 2025

The menu features items like steak frites, crudo, and house-made pizzas, under the direction of Executive Chef James Samuel A...