SLIDELL MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO FELONY FOR SELLING MIGRATORY BIRD PARTS
MARC DAVID MACIERA, age 36, a resident of Slidell, Louisiana pleaded guilty today in front of United States District Judge Lance M. Africk to selling and attempting to sell migratory bird parts in violation of federal law, announced United States Attorney Jim Letten.
According to court documents, between March and June 2008, on multiple occasions, MACIERA knowingly sold and offered for sale parts of anhingas, a migratory bird as defined under federal law and treaties, to individuals across the United States via the internet. Court documents further indicate that MACIERA sent the sets of feathers, for which he received approximately $300 each, via the United States Mail. Anhingas (sometimes called the snakebird, waterbird, darter, American darter, or water turkey) are bird similar in size and weight to a cormorant. The anhinga is native to the southern United States, among other places, and is recognizable by its long, fan-shaped, white-tipped tail feather.
MACIERA faces a maximum term of imprisonment of two (2) years, a $2,000 fine, restitution, and one (1) year of supervised release following any term of imprisonment. Sentencing has been scheduled for March 24, 2011.
The case was investigated by the United States Fish & Wildlife Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Ginsberg.
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