ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - An Oregon man has been sentenced in Alaska for illegally selling walrus ivory.

U.S. District Court Judge Ralph R. Beistline sentenced James Schneider, 47, of Astoria on Wednesday to three years probation and a fine of $10,000.

According to federal prosecutors, Schneider planned to act as a retail seller of illegal ivory by acquiring and selling walrus parts. He pleaded guilty in October 2008.

Schneider planned to sell the ivory in Oregon. His plan was thwarted by an undercover investigation conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Skrocki.

Walrus are protected under the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act. The law prohibits non-Alaska Natives from possessing walrus ivory that has not first been handcrafted by Alaskan Natives.

Schneider also was ordered to surrender other walrus ivory he illegally possessed.

He also was convicted by the state of the felony of importing alcohol into the dry village of Togiak. He used some of the alcohol and cash to illegally purchase the ivory, prosecutors said.

Nelson P. Cohen, U.S. attorney for the District of Alaska, said his office puts a high priority on the "protection of our precious wildlife resources" and will continue to pursue violators.