Adam Boguski, Hawk Killing, Connecticut 2016

Stamford Man Sentenced for Killing Federally Protected Hawks

Adam Boguski, 44, of Stamford, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to one year of probation for killing red-tailed hawks and Cooper’s hawks. The hawks, birds of prey that consume pigeons as part of their natural diet, are protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Boguski, along with Thomas Kapusta, was racing pigeon enthusiast who constructed and maintained a pigeon coop at 330 Weed Avenue in Stamford. Kapusta and Boguski kept a large number of racing pigeons at this coop, and regularly let them fly outside the coop for exercise. However, they viewed the hawks as a threat to their pigeons, and systematically captured the hawks in a trap specifically designed to capture birds of prey, shot and killed them in the trap, and disposed of their carcasses.

Boguski pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to take, capture and kill red-tailed hawks and Cooper’s hawks, and two counts of taking, capturing and killing Cooper’s hawks. In pleading guilty, he admitted that he killed Cooper’s hawks on September 27, 2015, and October 17, 2015. Boguski was also ordered to pay a $250 fine and perform 60 hours of community service at a local animal shelter.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement and the Division of Refuge Law Enforcement, and the Environmental Conservation Police of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, with the assistance of the Stamford Police Department, investigated the case. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Chen.

According to court documents, Boguski and Kapusta kept a large number of racing pigeons at the coop and regularly let them fly outside for exercise. However, they viewed the hawks as a threat to their pigeons and systematically captured them in a trap, shot and killed them, and disposed of their carcasses.

Kapusta was sentenced on October 19, 2016, to one year of probation and ordered to pay a $5,500 fine and perform 90 hours of community service at a local animal shelter. Boguski and Kapusta were also ordered to have their pigeon coop in Stamford randomly inspected by federal and state environmental authorities.

Defendant: Adam Boguski

Criminal Charges: one count of conspiracy to take, capture and kill red-tailed hawks and Cooper’s hawks, and two counts of taking, capturing and killing Cooper’s hawks

City and State: Stamford, Connecticut

Exact Date: August 8, 2016 (plea), and February 17, 2016 (co-defendant’s plea)

Sentence: One year of probation, $250 fine, 60 hours of community service

Dollar Amounts: $250 fine, $5,500 fine

Related Federal Cases