Arraignment set in ivory smuggling case

LOS ANGELES -- The owner of a Claremont doughnut shop is scheduled to appear March 1 in Los Angeles federal court to be arraigned on charges that he participated in an ivory smuggling scheme, Assistant U.S. Attorney Bayron Gilchrist said today.

Moun Chau, 50, is accused of purchasing ivory from endangered African elephants between September and November 2006 through eBay from a seller in Thailand.

Chau, of Montclair, could face up to 25 years in prison if convicted. He is currently out of custody, and prosecutors said he would be notified of his court date with a letter.

The Thai seller, Samart Chokchoyma, was arrested in November in Thailand, and faces criminal charges there.