September 18, 2025

Man Sentenced for Trafficking in Endangered Sperm Whale Parts

Q: How did Deloach evade law enforcement?

Deloach falsely labeled shipments of sperm whale parts as 'plastic' to evade law enforcement.

St. Helena Island, September 18, 2025

News Summary

Lauren Deloach, a 69-year-old man from St. Helena Island, has been sentenced for the illegal trafficking of sperm whale parts. He received a $15,000 fine and 30 days of home confinement after pleading guilty to charges of importing and selling endangered species parts over a three-year period. Authorities seized approximately $20,000 worth of sperm whale items from his possession. In related news, contractor Shakur Muhammad Johnson faces accusations of defrauding employees and investors of over $1 million.

Charleston, South Carolina – Lauren Deloach, a 69-year-old man from St. Helena Island, has been sentenced for illegally trafficking in sperm whale parts, a violation of federal wildlife laws. Deloach pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to charges of importing, selling, and possessing parts from endangered species, specifically sperm whale teeth and bones.

U.S. District Judge David Norton imposed a sentence that includes a fine of $15,000, 30 days of home confinement, and two years of probation. Over a three-year period, Deloach engaged in illegal activities, importing sperm whale parts from multiple countries, including Australia, Latvia, Norway, and Ukraine. To avoid detection by law enforcement, Deloach misrepresented shipments, labeling them as “plastic“.

During court proceedings, prosecutors presented evidence consisting of two sperm whale teeth and one ear bone, along with proof of Deloach selling at least 85 sperm whale items on eBay, which totaled over $18,000. During a search of Deloach’s premises, approximately $20,000 worth of sperm whale parts were seized by authorities.

Sperm whales inhabit the deep oceans worldwide, but their populations have been significantly reduced due to commercial whaling activities from the 1800s until the 1980s. The International Whaling Commission instituted a moratorium on commercial whaling in 1986 to protect these creatures.

In a separate case, Shakur Muhammad Johnson, a contractor for the U.S. Postal Service in Summerville, stands accused of defrauding employees and investors of over $1 million through fraudulent delivery route contracts. Keith Mackey, one individual who invested over $300,000 in Johnson’s business, subsequently filed a lawsuit against him. Tragically, Mackey took his own life in March after experiencing severe financial distress due to his investment.

Johnson faces several civil lawsuits, with claims that allege he defrauded numerous postal service employees and investors across multiple states, with debts approaching $1 million. Johnson has a prior criminal record, having pleaded guilty to grand theft in 2021 for stealing from a YMCA in Florida.

Regarding other fraudulent activities, Charles Mincey, a Charleston contractor, pleaded guilty to defrauding a federal low-income housing program. His plea agreement reveals that he submitted falsified grant applications, falsely claiming to conduct housing inspections that never occurred. Mincey will face a maximum prison sentence of five years and has agreed to assist prosecutors in the case against other suspects.

Furthermore, Jeffrey McWhorter, the former CEO of Palmetto Railways, has accepted probation for his involvement in a federal fraud scheme that entailed accepting kickbacks for a construction contract. McWhorter confessed to taking cash kickbacks to influence a $35.5 million contract award, although a related plea hearing has yet to be scheduled.

FAQ

What was Lauren Deloach sentenced for?

Lauren Deloach was sentenced for illegally trafficking sperm whale parts, including illegally importing, selling, and possessing sperm whale teeth and bones over a three-year period.

What are the details of Deloach’s sentence?

Deloach was sentenced to a $15,000 fine, 30 days of home confinement, and two years of probation.

How did Deloach evade law enforcement?

Deloach falsely labeled shipments of sperm whale parts as “plastic” to evade law enforcement.

What other legal issues are occurring in South Carolina?

In addition to Deloach’s case, contractor Shakur Muhammad Johnson is facing allegations of scamming employees and investors out of over $1 million, coupled with multiple civil lawsuits. Charles Mincey, another contractor, has pleaded guilty to defrauding a federal housing program.

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Author: STAFF HERE BEAUFORT

The HERE Beaufort Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Beaufort community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background: Local Roots in Beaufort : Our team includes lifelong Beaufort residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sale of the historic Crofts Block Building, Beaufort’s equestrian heritage, and growth in local tech and education sectors (e.g., BeaufortTechnical College programs). Collective Experience: With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Beaufort Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality: Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.

STAFF HERE BEAUFORT

The HERE Beaufort Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Beaufort community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background: Local Roots in Beaufort : Our team includes lifelong Beaufort residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sale of the historic Crofts Block Building, Beaufort’s equestrian heritage, and growth in local tech and education sectors (e.g., BeaufortTechnical College programs). Collective Experience: With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Beaufort Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality: Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.

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