Texas man shot a bald eagle in his backyard. Now he's going to prison

A Houston-area man who shot a bald eagle in his backyard before hiding the wounded bird under a tarp in his garage is headed to federal prison .

Santos Guerrero, 43, of Porter, was sentenced Friday to 14 days in prison and ordered to pay a $5,000 fine after pleading guilty to shooting and killing the federally protected bird, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas.

Guerrero pleaded guilty May 14, nearly two years after authorities said he shot the eagle at his home on Oct. 11, 2024.