A Houston-area man is headed to federal prison for shooting and killing a bald eagle. A news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Texas, said 43-year-old Santos Guerrero pleaded guilty on May 14. He was sentenced in August to 14 days behind bars and must also pay a $5,0 00 fine. Texas Game Wardens were the first to learn about the shooting. In October 2024, a concerned citizen reported seeing a bald eagle that had been shot in Montgomery County. Texas Game Wardens responded and investigated, ultimately locating the injured eagle hidden beneath a tarp in Guerrero’s garage. Veterinarians later euthanized the eagle because of the severity of its injuries. Texas Game Wardens turned over the case to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for further investigation and prosecution. In May, Guerrero admitted he shot the bald eagle at his residence. At the hearing in August, the court heard additional evidence that Guerrero shot the eagle in his backyard on Oct. 11, 2024, hid it in his garage, and later lied to authorities. The court also reviewed video and body-camera footage documenting the eagle before the shooting and its subsequent discovery. A necropsy determined that the bullet significantly damaged the eagle’s wing. The fall also caused liver fractures, internal bleeding, and a fractured leg. The eagle was euthanized. After the sentencing, NBC 5 requested the video that the court reviewed. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service posted a video to the Department of the Interior Law Enforcement’s social media page. The post included a warning, “The following video contains graphic content depicting a bald eagle being shot, falling from a tree and ultimately dying due to human actions. Viewer discretion is strongly advised.” The post goes on to say, “While we understand this video is difficult to watch, this post is intended to be educational and unfiltered. Its purpose is to help viewers recognize that these incidents occur and to highlight why the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has these regulations in place.” U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter Bray sentenced Guerrero, who was permitted to remain free on bond, and who will voluntarily surrender to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility on a date to be determined in the near future. Although bald eagles are no longer listed as endangered, federal law continues to protect them under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. The law prohibits anyone from killing, possessing, selling, transporting, exporting, or importing any bald or golden eagle, alive or dead, including any part, nest, or egg, without authorization. ...read more read less