Guatemalan Man Sentenced for Possessing Bald Eagle

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Ramiro Hernandez Tziquin, age 22, of Guatemala, was sentenced on October 23, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for violating the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. United States Magistrate Judge Michael D. Nelson sentenced Hernandez Tziquin to time served. Hernandez Tziquin has been in custody since June 6, 2024. Hernandez Tziquin is subject to removal proceedings with United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

On or about February 28, 2023, law enforcement received a report of a suspicious vehicle located at the Wood Duck Wildlife Management Area, located in Stanton County, Nebraska. Law enforcement arrived at Wood Duck and approached the vehicle with Hernandez Tziquin and Domingo Zetino Hernandez as the occupants. During the encounter, Zetino Hernandez admitted that he shot a bird and that it was in the trunk of Hernandez Tziquin's vehicle. Law enforcement obtained consent to search the vehicle and found one bald eagle carcass. Hernandez Tziquin admitted to possessing the bald eagle found in the trunk of the vehicle without being permitted to do so.

Co-defendant Zetino Hernandez was sentenced to time served on November 14, 2023, for violating the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.

This case was investigated by United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement, Nebraska Games and Parks Commission, and the Stanton County Sheriff's Office.