Texas man pleads guilty to shooting, killing a bald eagle
by Brad Matthews · The Washington TimesA man living in the Houston suburbs pleaded guilty Thursday to shooting and killing a bald eagle, a violation of a federal law of 1940.
Santos Guerrero, 42, a resident of Porter, Texas, about 25 miles northeast of Houston, shot at a bald eagle that was sitting in a tree on Oct. 11, 2024, said the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas.
The eagle survived the initial gunshot, but its wing was damaged, and it suffered injuries to its liver and leg, along with internal bleeding after falling from the tree. The bald eagle was taken to an animal hospital where veterinarians ultimately euthanized it due to its injuries, the U.S. attorney’s office said.
“[Guerrero] lives on a large property in Porter and — from a significant distance away — believed he was shooting a hawk who had been killing his chickens. Despite that, he has accepted responsibility and is looking forward to resolving the case,” said Mr. Guerrero’s attorney, Luis Baez, according to the Houston Chronicle.
Bald eagles are not endangered, but are protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act of 1940. Mr. Guerrero’s violation is being prosecuted as a misdemeanor, according to court records, but second and subsequent violations of the law are felonies, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says on its website.
Mr. Guerrero is due back in court on July 30 for sentencing. He faces up to a year in prison and a fine of up to $100,000, the U.S. attorney’s office said.
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