Suspect sought in Valley jailed in South Africa for rhinoceros poaching

Friday, September 26, 2014

A con man accused of bilking Valley residents out of millions has turned up in a South African jail, connected to a bizarre and international crime ring. Those crimes involve rhinoceros poaching in South Africa.

Arno Smit is now named in a more than 300-count indictment, along with nine others. He’s a suspect Tulare County authorities have been after for more than four years.

Ask the people he’s accused of scamming and they’ll tell you Arno Smit talked a big game. There were private jets, fancy dinners, outings at the PGA Masters Tournament, and for Jackie Atkinson it was romantic.

Full Story on ABC30.com