Man gets time served for killing bald eagle — with plans to eat it — in Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A man who killed a bald eagle in northeast Nebraska has been sentenced to time served, but he still faces the possibility of deportation.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael D. Nelson sentenced Domingo Zetino Hernandez, 21, on Tuesday for violating the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.

He has been in custody since March 20, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The Guatemala native “is subject to removal proceedings” with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

SEE ALSO: Nebraska deputies cite two men accused of shooting, killing bald eagle

On Feb. 28, deputies with the Stanton County Sheriff’s Office were called to the Wood Duck State Wildlife Management Area on a report of a suspicious vehicle.

Zetino Hernandez and Ramiro Hernandez Tziquin were inside the vehicle and agreed to a search.

Deputies found a dead bald eagle in the trunk, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said, and Zetino Hernandez admitted to shooting it.

The two men told deputies that they planned to cook and eat the bird, according to the sheriff’s office.

Zetino Hernandez pleaded guilty in August.

Hernandez Tziquin is on the lam, authorities said. They think he may be staying with family or associates in Nebraska or Texas.

Anyone with information about his location should contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service at 844-397-8477 or on fws.gov/wildlife-crime-tips.

The case garnered national attention.

Rep. Mike Flood of Nebraska called on the Biden administration to get involved, saying the men were in the country illegally.