A man from Nebraska who admitted to shooting and killing a bald eagle with the intention of consuming it has been sentenced to time served, according to KOLN-TV.
Domingo Zetino-Hernandez, a 21-year-old from Guatemala, was found guilty in March of violating the 1940 Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.
Zetino-Hernandez confessed to authorities that he and another individual, Ramiro Hernandez-Tziquin, had killed the bald eagle and planned to eat it, as reported by KETV. However, Hernandez-Tziquin remains at large and is believed to have fled the area after a warrant was issued for his arrest. It is suspected that he may be residing in either Nebraska or Texas, according to KOLN-TV.
The incident came to the attention of law enforcement on February 28 when deputies from the Stanton County Sheriff's Office were alerted to a suspicious vehicle at the Wood Duck Wildlife Management Area. After inspecting the vehicle and speaking with Zetino-Hernandez and Hernandez-Tziquin, Zetino-Hernandez admitted to shooting the bald eagle and placing it in the trunk of his car, according to a press release from the sheriff's office.
Both men were initially cited for unlawful possession of the eagle, with Hernandez-Tziquin also facing an additional charge for driving without a license, according to the press release. Zetino-Hernandez, who pleaded guilty in August, had been in custody until his sentencing on Tuesday. He is now subject to removal proceedings with the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as reported by KCAU-TV.
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service is actively seeking information regarding Hernandez-Tziquin's whereabouts and is offering a reward for any information leading to his arrest, KOLN-TV noted.
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