Federal authorities have fined a New Hampshire man $1,000 for illegally possessing 15 taxidermied birds of prey.
According to acting U.S. Attorney John Farley, 31-year-old Jeremiah S. Loui of Dover is accused of buying and reselling a taxidermied northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) on the Internet. He also allegedly sold or owned 14 other dead birds.
All of the birds are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act or the Wild Bird Conservation Act.
Farley also says Loui made false statements to authorities investigating the case.
Loui has pleaded guilty to violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and in a plea agreement, he has agreed "to forfeit any interest he has" in any of the taxidermied birds.
