Ernesto Gonzalez Campos Sentenced

Ernesto Gonzalez Campos, a 36-year-old Brandon man, has been sentenced to 18 months’ probation for his role in trafficking migratory birds. U.S. District Judge Charlene Honeywell handed down the sentence, which includes a $1,000 fine and 50 hours of community service.

Campos was found guilty by a federal jury on November 30, 2023, for his involvement in the capture, sale, and trade of protected migratory songbirds. The case was part of “Operation Ornery Birds II,” a Florida-wide investigation conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Campos engaged in the ongoing capture, sale, and trade of protected migratory songbirds, including indigo buntings, painted buntings, rose-breasted grosbeaks, and blue grosbeaks. These birds are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), and Campos’ actions were a clear violation of this law.

Campos trapped the birds from the wild and, once they were tamed, sold them within the songbird community. This was not an isolated incident, as Campos sold and traded these protected birds on at least three occasions in 2020 and 2021. The investigation and prosecution of this case demonstrate the commitment of law enforcement to protecting wildlife and enforcing laws related to their conservation.

The case was investigated by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ilyssa Spergel and Senior Trial Attorney Patrick Duggan of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section. The successful prosecution of this case is a result of the collaborative efforts of these agencies and highlights the importance of cooperation in combating wildlife trafficking.

Campos is the most recent individual to be sentenced in “Operation Ornery Birds II.” Five others were previously sentenced in the Middle District of Florida as part of this operation. The sentences handed down in these cases demonstrate the seriousness with which law enforcement and the courts view wildlife trafficking and the importance of protecting migratory birds and other wildlife.

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) is a federal law that protects migratory birds, including the species involved in this case. The law prohibits the capture, sale, and trade of these birds without a valid permit. The investigation and prosecution of cases like this one help to enforce the MBTA and protect migratory birds from those who would seek to exploit them for personal gain.