Carlos Garcia, 50, was taken into custody Thursday and is charged killing a protected species.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said crews went to Garcia’s home in the Bithlo area on Jan. 21 after a neighbor said he saw Garcia shoot a hawk with a shotgun.
Wildlife officials said Garcia admitted to them that he used a .410 gauge shotgun to kill the hawk while it was sitting in a tree near his house.
Garcia handed over the gun to wildlife officials and led them to where he had dumped the birds' body inside a plastic bag, officials said.
Wildlife officials said the hawk was a red-shouldered hawk, which is a federally protected bird of prey.
People dealing with wildlife and pet issues are asked to contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at: 352-732-1225 or 888-404-3922.
ARREST INFO:
Full Name: Carlos Garcia
Gender: Male
City: Bithlo, Florida
Arrest Age:50
Date:03/23/2017
Arresting Agency: ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF OFFICE
Charges
#1 KILLING OR WOUNDING PROTECTED SPECIES
STATUTE: 379.411 (THIRD DEGREE FELONY)
(WESH - March 24, 2017)
