"Spiderman" sentenced: This guy trafficked in tarantulas

(CBS/AP) LOS ANGELES - Unlike the Broadway version, this Spiderman really delivers.

A German man who brought hundreds of tarantulas into the United States by mail has been sentenced to six months in federal prison.

Federal prosecutors say 37-year-old Sven Koppler mailed more than 240 live tarantulas from Germany to Los Angeles last year. Fish and Wildlife Service agents intercepted the packages, then posed as customers and ordered dozens more spiders including a protected Mexican species.

Authorities say Koppler made nearly $350,000 by selling spiders to people in dozens of countries.

Judge S. James Otero sentenced Koppler of Wachtberg, Germany, on Monday in Los Angeles. In addition the 6-month prison term, Koppler also must pay $4,000 in fines and will be placed on three years of probation.

Koppler earlier this year pleaded guilty to one count of smuggling goods into the U.S.

More on Crimesider

Dec. 6, 2010 - Man Charged for Smuggling Tarantulas to US from Germany, Say Feds