Houston, Texas – A 42-year-old Houston man admitted in court that he killed a protected bald eagle in his yard. According to a May 14 press release from the Department of Justice for the Southern District of Texas, Santos Guerrero admitted he shot a bald eagle at his residence Oct. 11, 2024.
Guerrero’s shooting of the bald eagle was captured on video, and it shows the majestic bird plummeting to the ground. Authorities who responded to the call found the bird alive but grievously injured. The eagle was taken to a veterinarian but had to be euthanized due to the extent of the injuries.
From the release:
A necropsy determined the bullet caused significant damage to the eagle’s wing. The impact from the fall also caused liver fractures, internal bleeding and a fractured leg.
Guerrero pleaded guilty for shooting and causing the death of a protected species and the judge accepted his plea. U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter Bray set sentencing for July 30. At that time, Guerrero faces up to a year in federal prison and $100,000 maximum fine.
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