A 91-year-old man pleads guilty to killing a white-tailed eagle

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A 91-year-old man pleaded guilty Friday to killing a bald eagle in Sparta, North Carolina, in June, according to the United States Attorney’s Office.

Robert Gambill pleaded guilty to unlawfully taking a white-tailed eagle in violation of the White-tailed Deer and Golden Eagle Protection Act.

On June 5, Gambill, equipped with a Ruger M77 Mark 2 22-250 rifle and a Nikon Monarch MR31 4×16-42 scope, shot a bald eagle perched in a tree near the Farmers Fish Camp road bridge in Sparta.

Gambill then drove away after killing the bird, leaving the carcass on the bank of the New River.

Two people witnessed the killing and notified the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. An autopsy was performed and confirmed that the bald eagle had been injured by a gunshot wound from a high-powered rifle.

Gambill could face up to a year in prison. Officials said he will also have to pay a fine of $100,000 or twice the gross gain or loss resulting from the crime. He also agreed to pay a $9,500 fine.