Minn. farmer pleads guilty to destroying pelicans
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - A southern Minnesota farmer accused of destroying hundreds of federally protected white pelican chicks has pleaded guilty to violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Fifty-nine-year-old Craig Staloch of Minnesota Lake pleaded guilty to the federal misdemeanor Tuesday.
In his plea agreement, Staloch admitted he killed and attempted to kill a large number of American white pelicans.
Federal prosecutors say a state wildlife specialist visited the land in May because the birds had nested there the previous year.
The specialist found numerous nests and told Staloch not to disturb them because of their protected status. The specialist returned the next day and found most of the eggs in the nests had been smashed and countless chicks were dead.
Staloch faces up to six months in prison as well as a fine.
Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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