Parrish man known as ‘Monkey Whisperer’ accused of monkey trafficking

PARRISH, Fla. – A 61-year-old Parish man known as “The Monkey Whisperer” and his brother are behind bars after authorities said they were illegally trafficking monkeys.

Jimmy Hammonds and his 59-year-old sibling Johnny Hammonds, who is from St. Petersburg, secretly planned to sell wild animals and transported and sold marmosets, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said Friday.

The brothers were charged with conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act and trafficking in Lacey Act. The DOJ said if found guilty on all counts, the Hammonds could face 10 years in prison.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service investigated the matter. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erin Favorit and Abigail King will prosecute the case.