United States of America, Cross-Appellant v. Oanh Vu Nguyen, Cross-Appellee

THORNBERRY, Circuit Judge:

A jury convicted the defendant, Oanh Vu Nguyen, of violating the Endangered Species Act by illegally possessing a threatened species of sea turtle, see 16 U.S.C.A. §§ 1538(a)(1)(G), 1540(b)(1) (West 1985 & Supp.1990); 50 C.F.R. § 227.71(d) (1989), and by illegally importing the turtle, see 16 U.S.C.A. §§ 1538(a)(1)(G), 1540(b)(1); 50 C.F.R. § 227.71(a) (1989). The trial judge instructed the jury that they could convict Nguyen even if he did not know that the turtle was a threatened species or that his conduct was illegal. On appeal, Nguyen contends that the trial…