Claremont doughnut shop owner pleads not guilty to ivory smuggling

LOS ANGELES -- A Claremont doughnut shop owner pleaded not guilty today to charges that he purchased ivory from endangered African elephants on eBay.

Federal prosecutors accuse Moun Chau, 50, of purchasing the ivory from a seller in Thailand, disguising it in shipments by claiming the imported packages were "gifts" containing "toys."

Federal authorities said they discovered numerous ivory specimens at Chau's doughnut shop when it was raided.

Chau, of Montclair, was notified of his court date by letter, and appeared out of custody today in a downtown Los Angeles federal courtroom.

He posted $5,000 bail and a trial date was scheduled for April 27, said Thom Mrozek, spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Chau faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted of the ivory smuggling, which allegedly took place over three months in 2006.

The alleged seller, Samart Chokchoyma, has also been indicted by federal authorities but remains in Thailand because he also faces criminal charges there.