Bald Eagle Killer Sent to Prison

HOUSTON – A 43-year-old Porter resident has been sentenced to prison for shooting and killing a bald eagle. Santos Guerrero pleaded guilty May 14. U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter Bray has now ordered Guerrero to serve 14 days in federal prison and pay a $5,000 fine. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence that Guerrero shot the eagle in his backyard Oct. 11, 2024, hid it in his garage, and later lied to authorities. The court also reviewed images from video and body camera footage documenting the eagle prior to the shooting and subsequent discovery of the eagle. Authorities responded to reports of the shooting and reviewed video showing the eagle being shot and falling from the tree. They arrived at Guerrero’s residence and identified the tree shown in the video. Law enforcement located the injured eagle hidden under a tarp in Guerrero’s garage and transported it to an animal hospital. Veterinarians later euthanized the eagle because of the severity of its injuries. A necropsy determined the bullet significantly damaged the eagle’s wing. The fall also caused liver fractures, internal bleeding, and a fractured leg. 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. Guerrero was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. Fish and Wildlife Service conducted the investigation with the assistance of Texas Parks and Wildlife. Assistant U.S. Attorney Liesel Roscher is prosecuted the case.