CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A 91-year-old man pleaded guilty Friday to killing a bald eagle in Sparta, North Carolina in June, according to the United States Attorney’s Office. Robert Gambill pleaded guilty to unlawful taking of a bald eagle in violation of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. On June 5th, Gambill, equipped with a Ruger M77 Mark 2 22-250 rifle with a Nikon Monarch MR31 4×16-42 scope, shot and killed a bald eagle perched in a tree near the Farmers Fish Camp Road Bridge in Sparta. Gambill then drove off after killing the bird, leaving the carcass on the bank of the New River. Two people witnessed the killing and notified the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. A necropsy was performed which confirmed the bald eagle was injured by a gunshot wound from a high-powered rifle. Gambill could face up to one year in prison. He will also have to pay a $100,000 fine or twice the gross gain or loss derived from the offense, officials said. He also agreed to pay a $9,500 fine.