Santos Guerrero, 42, is scheduled to be sentenced on July 30.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas — A Porter man has pleaded guilty to shooting and killing a federally protected bald eagle at his home.
Santos Guerrero, 42, admitted in court that he shot the bald eagle on Oct. 11, 2024, according to the Department of Justice.
Authorities were initially called to the scene after getting reports of the shooting. Investigators reviewed video footage that captured the eagle being shot and tumbling from a tree. Officers then went to Guerrero’s home, where they were able to match the tree at the property to the one visible in the footage.
The eagle was found alive and rushed to an animal hospital but ultimately had to be euthanized. A necropsy revealed the bullet had caused significant damage to the eagle’s wing, while the impact from the fall resulted in liver fractures, internal bleeding and a fractured leg.
Although bald eagles were removed from the endangered species list years ago, they remain strictly protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. The law prohibits the killing, possessing, selling, transporting, exporting or importing of any bald or golden eagle — alive or dead — including any part, nest or egg, without a permit.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 30. Guerrero faces up to one year in federal prison and a maximum fine of $100,000.
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