Man guilty of shipping uninspected poultry from his home
PITTSBURGH (AP) – A Laotian immigrant has pleaded guilty to transporting uninspected poultry from what federal agents say are slaughterhouses in his Pittsburgh-area homes.
Eighty-four-year-old Xia Xue Vue entered the plea Thursday before a federal judge in Pittsburgh who will sentence him Feb. 18.
Local humane officials have repeatedly cited Vue for slaughtering animals he buys at farm auctions for the last 20 years.
U.S. Department of Agriculture agents raided his home in January 2013 and seized more than 50 chickens, several pigeons, some ducks and a peacock.
Authorities say he was slaughtering those animals – along with goats and pigs – at his homes in Jefferson Hills and Pittsburgh West End, and selling the meat to ethnic food stores.
The charge carries up to three years in prison.