Jennifer Mayo, who owns a chicken farm in South Texas, has found herself at the center of a federal smuggling case that has destroyed her business and left her fighting for her freedom.
The farmer’s story begins with a passion project that grew into a flourishing business enterprise. She started with nine birds about five years ago. Her collection eventually expanded into 39 different breeds of chickens, and her farm became a local attraction, drawing visitors from her community.
“Our local newspaper did a little article about it becoming kind of a roadside attraction,” Mayo told me in a podcast interview (see video below). Her focus on rare and exotic breeds like the Dong Tao, which are native to Vietnam, helped her stand out from other chicken farming operations.
Dong Tao chickens are not legal to import into the United States without meeting specific conditions:
Avian influenza and Newcastle disease
It’s illegal to import poultry from regions where highly pathogenic avian influenza or Newcastle disease exist in commercial poultry populations. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) lists Vietnam and Cambodia as regions affected by highly pathogenic avian influenza.
They are originally from Dong Tao, Vietnam, and are known for their long, thick legs. According to the release, it’s illegal to import fowl to the US from areas like Vietnam, which have areas with severe strains of avian influenza or Newcastle disease.
it is illegal to import Dong Tao chicken eggs into the United States without meeting specific conditions:
USDA permits
The importer must obtain a USDA Import Permit, Veterinary Export Health Certificate, and a port inspection.
Transit permits
If the eggs are transiting the United States, they must be accompanied by a USDA transit permit and a contingency plan.
In August 2023, Jennifer Mayo of Aransas Pass, Texas was arrested for smuggling 60 Dong Tao chicken eggs into the United States from Vietnam and Cambodia. Mayo attempted to hatch the eggs at her home, but authorities found multiple live chickens on her property. The chickens were seized and euthanized due to their health. Mayo faces up to 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. Her sentencing is scheduled for January 23, 2025.
A hefty fine would be appropriate, but 20 years in prison? That is excessive. Illegals can rape or kill someone and not get that much punishment.
She was wrong for having the chickens, but the government could have handled the situation better.
By her logic, if someone managed to smuggle heroin into the US because Customs didn’t stop them, they they’ve not committed the crime. That’s ridiculous.