💨 Abstract

An Accomack County man, William Custis Smith, pleaded guilty to killing a bald eagle on his Virginia property. He used a trap and a banned neurotoxin to poison birds, admitting to killing over 20 raptors. He was sentenced to a day in jail, community service, and nearly $10,000 in fines. The incident involved trapping and poison, highlighting the illegal killing of protected bird species, which face severe penalties under federal laws.

Courtesy: Kate Ryan