The U.S. Department of Justice has issued an official statement regarding a Florida man convicted of violating the Lacey Act. TAMPA, Fla. – Jimmy Wayne Hammonds, 62, Parrish, also known as the “Monkey Whisperer,” was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Mary S. Skven to nine months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for Lacey Act and Lacey Act human trafficking conspiracy charges. Ms. Hammonds pled guilty on October 23, 2025. The court also ordered Hammonds to pay a $60,000 fine to benefit the Lacey Law Rewards Fund and prohibited him from owning, breeding, selling, transporting or exhibiting wild animals. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe.
Despite being a convicted Lacey Act trafficker and on federal probation, Hammonds operated a business called The Monkey Whisperer, LLC, which specialized in selling primates and other exotic animals, according to court documents. Hammonds connected with the person, an undercover detective, through his company’s social media accounts. At Hammonds’ request, the conversation moved to an encrypted text messaging app to discuss the potential sale of wild animals. Hammonds agreed to sell two common marmosets to an undercover agent for $7,400. Mr. Hammons arranged for the transaction to take place in Georgia to avoid law enforcement scrutiny. The photo below shows two common marmosets.
As a result of the charges, Hammons relinquished ownership of 67 animals, including numerous primates, muntjac deer, lemurs, kangaroos, wallabies and otters.
Hammons’ violation of probation hearing will be held on April 2, 2026.
This incident was investigated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with significant assistance from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erin Claire Favorit and Abigail K. King.
