Will Amber Heard go to jail? Dog-smuggling case from 2015 reopens in Australia
Australian authorities are revisiting Amber Heard's case when she violated biosecurity laws by flying into the country with her two dogs - Pistol and Boo - without properly declaring them. Her pets had failed to follow a strict 10-day pet quarantine before arriving in Australia and Heard blamed this on her ignorance and lack of sleep after which she managed to escape charges. She had to issue a public apology and pay a fine amounting to $7,650 but her troubles, in this case, are far from over as authorities are reopening the case. Heard is being investigated yet again, according to sources, in light of new information that she committed perjury.
This is not the first time the actress is facing perjury charges. Earlier this year, she was being investigated for perjury in her domestic violence case against Johnny Depp after she accused him of physical abuse during their marriage after which he was described as a "wife-beater" by a UK publication. Despite losing the libel suit against the said publication, the LAPD took another look at Heard's alleged 2016 fight with Depp that happened at their downtown LA pad. The actress was facing allegations that she faked information about the altercation and longtime attorney and Depp's friend Adam Waldman allegedly confirmed Heard was under investigation. He also said he believed the crime scene was staged by Heard. "Amber Heard and her friend Rocky Pennington staged the May 21 crime scene to prove the abuse allegation against Johnny Depp," he said to German outlet BILD.
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Will Amber Heard go to jail?
Australian authorities are investigating the 'Aquaman' actress for perjury over the dog-smuggling incident from 2015. At the time, she issued an apology where she said, "Australia is free of many pests and diseases that are commonplace around the world. That is why Australia has to have such strong biosecurity laws." This apology was recorded alongside then-husband Depp. Fast forward to current times, The Department of Agriculture, Water, and the Environment has enlisted the help of the FBI to seek out witnesses of this incident.
The new information has come from Depp's estate manager, Kevin Murphy, who stated that Heard knew what she did in 2015 was illegal but chose to go ahead with it anyway. "I also explained to Ms. Heard several times the fact that trying to take the dogs into Australia without completing the mandatory process was illegal and could result in very harsh penalties including euthanizing the dogs," Murphy, 59, said alleging Heard implied he should lie in court. "When I expressed that I was extremely uncomfortable with this, Ms. Heard said to me 'Well I want your help on this … I wouldn't want you to have a problem with your job'" he said, noting it was "very apparent" that she was "threatening" his job security.
If the investigation turns into perjury charges, and if Heard is convicted, she could end up with a jail sentence. Perjury in New South Wales is governed by Section 327 of the Crimes Act and carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment. If a false statement is made in order to bring about a conviction or an acquittal, the maximum penalty is 14 years.