A Florida man known as “The Monkey Whisperer” is trading his exotic animal compound for a federal prison cell. Jimmy Wayne Hammonds, 62, Parrish, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven to nine months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for his role in a wildlife trafficking conspiracy.
The sentencing, announced by U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe, follows Hammonds’ guilty plea on October 23, 2025, for violating the Lacey Act.
In addition to his prison term, Hammonds must pay a $60,000 fine to the Lacey Act Reward Fund. The court has also slapped him with a total ban on possessing, breeding, selling, or exhibiting any wildlife in the future.
Court records reveal that Hammonds operated a business called “The Monkey Whisperer, LLC,” which specialized in exotic animal sales. Despite already being a convicted trafficker on federal probation at the time, Hammonds used social media to scout buyers.
READ: Florida Manhunt Underway: Task Force Targets ‘Armed And Dangerous’ Fugitive Travis Merrell
He eventually connected with an undercover agent and insisted on moving their conversation to an encrypted messaging app to avoid detection.
During these negotiations, Hammonds agreed to sell two common marmosets to the agent for $7,400. To dodge law enforcement oversight, he arranged for the physical exchange to take place in Georgia.
The investigation, led by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with help from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, has resulted in the massive seizure of Hammonds’ inventory. He has been forced to surrender ownership of 67 animals, a collection that included various primates, muntjac deer, lemurs, kangaroos, wallabies, and otters.
While his trafficking case has reached a sentencing milestone, Hammonds’ legal troubles are not over. A hearing regarding his probation violation is currently scheduled for April 2, 2026. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erin Claire Favorit and Abigail K. King prosecuted the case.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox
