Man arrested for selling baby turtles in Lancaster

A Philadelphia man was arrested in Lancaster County this weekend for illegally selling baby turtles. East Lampeter Township police say they caught Joseph J. Reed, 38, selling the tiny turtles along the 1600 block of Lincoln Highway East Sunday afternoon. Reed had approximately 40 small turtles, about one inch in diameter, in plastic cages that he was selling for ten dollars each.  Federal regulations require turtles to have a shell size of at least four inches in order to be sold, because baby turtles can carry Salmonella bacteria. Reed also lacked the required soliciting permits for East Lampeter Township. Police say Reed had an active warrant for his arrest out Camden County, New Jersey. He was charged as a fugitive from justice and committed to Lancaster County Prison. ORCA responded and took custody of the turtles.