MUSKEGON COUNTY — A teenager from Muskegon who shot a
bald eagle and chopped it up was sentenced on Wednesday.
17-year old Kyle Howell received 300 days in the county
jail for killing a bald eagle in April of 2004.
Howell says he thought it was just a crow.
It happened along the Muskegon River in the state game
area.
The judge told Howell he found it hard to believe he
didn't realize the importance of bald eagles to the nation and the seriousness
of the offense.
"Any juvenile who does this type of activity can be
placed on notice that we will take it seriously and will charge accordingly
and as in this case we charged him as an adult," said Muskegon Assistant
Prosecutor Brett Gardner.
Another teenager, Ryan Armstrong was with Howell that
day. He's also facing charges of killing a bald eagle, the 18-year-old is also
facing up to four years in prison.
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