Federal charges against refuge owner dropped

AMARILLO, Texas (AP) Federal charges have been dropped against a Texan who allegedly offered to sell endangered animals and ship them across state lines. <br/><br/>The case against Charlie Azzopardi, who

Thursday, August 11th 2005, 7:33 am

By: News On 6

AMARILLO, Texas (AP) Federal charges have been dropped against a Texan who allegedly offered to sell endangered animals and ship them across state lines.

The case against Charlie Azzopardi, who owns the Amarillo Wildlife Refuge, was dismissed Monday.

Court documents information had come to the attention of the government that requires additional investigation. The motion didn't specify details.

Azzopardi had been scheduled to appear in court Tuesday for an evidentiary hearing.

He was arrested in late July.

Azzopardi was accused of offering to sell two clouded leopards and a white tiger cub and deliver them from Amarillo to Clinton, Oklahoma.

Azzopardi's attorney didn't immediately return a call seeking comment.