Man convicted of poaching ivory found in pool cues
A Clarkstown resident has been ordered to use his social media to raise awareness of the illegal ivory trade and discourage the use of poached ivory products as part of his sentence for participating in the illegal commercialization of ivory.
Kenneth Kerner, 59, pleaded guilty Feb. 8 to a felony for illegal commercialization of ivory worth more than $25,000, according to a joint statement by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office.
Kerner, a longtime a leader in the billiards industry, said Thursday that he wanted everyone to know the use of ivory is not needed in pool cues to create a beautiful and functional piece of art. And he wants people to know the legal risks, even if people are unaware of the illegalities.
‘We didn’t know we were part of the problem’
He said he’s an animal lover and said the ivory used in modern pool cues is decades old, and he regrettably didn’t believe he was adding to today’s elephant poaching crisis. “We didn’t know we were part of the problem,” he said.
“The law is the law,” Kerner said. “This is a real threat right now. Don’t get yourself in a legal problem, it’s not worth it. You can have beautiful cues without ivory in them.”
The elephant ivory, in the form of ivory pool cues, was worth about $70,000, according to the state DEC.
An old social media post attributed to Kenner, supplied by the DEC, and showed the pool cues for sale. The description noted the gold accent inlays and stated, “everything white is the good stuff!”
On Feb. 6, shortly before his guilty plea, Kerner posted on Facebook: “Federal and state officials are actively pursuing individuals engaged in the sale of ivory products, including cues. Those caught will be criminally prosecuted for any illegal transactions.” The post explains the criminality of selling items with ivory and adds informational links about the poaching crisis.
Kerner’s post concludes: “Let us help keep our industry strong and safe.”
New York strengthened laws and increased penalties regarding interstate ivory sales in 2014.
This joint investigation began in 2020 when the high-end pool cues, with asking prices as high as $45,000, were offered for sale on social media sites. Undercover investigators contacted the seller and arranged an inperson buy. The seller offered three ivory cues for sale, one of them for $15,000. Once an investigator cleared the sale, Officers with the District Attorney’s Office arrested the seller.
Besides the social media message about the dangers of the illegal ivory trade, Kenner’s sentence also includes: five years’ probation; 200 hours of community service; an obligation to donate $10,000 to a wildlife Non-Governmental Organization; relinquishment of the three ivory pool cues offered during the illicit sale; and a reimbursement to the DA’s Office for $15,000 cash.