Richard Warburton Pleads Guilty to Shooting Protected Hawk

A 75-year-old Cape Cod man admitted in federal court yesterday to executing a red tailed hawk, a protected migratory species, in a case that underscores the federal crackdown on unlawful wildlife killings. Richard Warburton of Brewster, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty to one count of killing a protected bird under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, a law that has stood since 1918 to shield hundreds of species from senseless slaughter.

On February 17, 2016, Warburton shot the red tailed hawk near Airline Road in Brewster, a quiet stretch of Cape Cod where the skies are often patrolled by these apex predators. The bird, gravely wounded, was later euthanized by authorities. Warburton admitted the shooting was not a one-off lapse in judgment — but part of a pattern of behavior that disregarded both the law and ecological balance.

U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Marianne B. Bowler handed down a sentence that included a $200 criminal fine and $266 in restitution to cover the cost of the bird’s replacement under federal wildlife valuation guidelines. While no jail time was imposed, the conviction stands as a federal felony-level misdemeanor, leaving a permanent mark on Warburton’s record.

“One of our many responsibilities is to enforce laws that protect New England’s unique wildlife,” said United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz. “We will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to safeguard the precious wildlife and ecosystems of our state for future generations.” Her office treated the case as part of a broader effort to combat environmental crimes often dismissed as minor.

David Sykes, New England Resident Agent in Charge of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement, emphasized the role of predator birds in maintaining ecological health. “This case is yet another example of the cooperative investigative efforts of the Massachusetts Environmental Police and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service,” Sykes said. “These majestic birds of prey are an important link in our ecosystem and today’s plea is a success in our collective efforts to conserve and protect them.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori J. Holik, Chief of Ortiz’s Major Crimes Unit, prosecuted the case. The conviction serves as a stark reminder: even in rural backyards, the law watches — and protected wings will not be clipped without consequence.