A Montgomery County man has pleaded guilty to shooting a bald eagle he mistook for a hawk, federal officials said. The bird later died from its injuries. The man now faces possible prison time and fines under federal law protecting eagles.
A man from Montgomery County has entered a guilty plea for the unlawful shooting and killing of a bald eagle on his property in Porter in October 2024, according to federal prosecutors.
Santos Guerrero, 42, has confessed to shooting the bird on October 11, 2024, as stated in a news release issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas. A single charge has been filed against him for breaching the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, a federal statute designed to protect these species.
Guerrero could potentially serve up to one year in federal prison and faces a maximum fine of $100,000. His sentencing is set for July 30.
Attorney Luis Baez stated that Guerrero was under the impression he was aiming at a predator that posed a threat to his livestock. Baez stated, “He believed he was targeting a hawk responsible for the deaths of his chickens.” He has acknowledged his responsibility and is eager to move forward in resolving the case.
Wardens from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department arrived at the scene following a report from a witness regarding the shooting incident. Federal officials reported that authorities subsequently examined video footage revealing an individual discharging a firearm at a bird, which then plummeted from a tree.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office confirmed that authorities acted on reports of the incident, reviewing video footage that captured the moment an eagle was shot and subsequently fell from a tree. Investigators subsequently visited Guerrero’s residence, where they confirmed the presence of the same tree observed in the footage.
Upon the wardens' arrival, they confirmed that the eagle remained alive, albeit with significant injuries. Authorities have moved the injured bird to a nearby animal hospital, where it was ultimately euthanized as a result of severe injuries, including a broken wing and trauma sustained from the fall.
The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act of 1940 provides legal protection for bald eagles. Although the species has been removed from the endangered list, federal regulations remain stringent, forbidding the killing, possession, or transportation of eagles or their parts without the necessary permits.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has launched an investigation into the case.
The incident highlights the continued enforcement of federal wildlife protections, even in cases involving mistaken identity or rural property issues.
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