More bird-death charges possible for ensigns

[unhappycamper]

Clockwise from top left: Ensign Joseph Gursky, Ensign Mark McClure, Ensign Alexander Wilhelm and Ensign Cullen Shaughnessy.


More bird-death charges possible for ensigns
By Andrew Tilghman - Staff report
Posted : Wednesday Feb 25, 2009 11:32:21 EST

Additional charges are pending against four recent Naval Academy graduates arrested in Florida in connection with the shooting deaths of endangered birds, officials from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission said.

The four ensigns assigned to Naval Air Station Pensacola were among seven people arrested the evening of Feb. 17 as they walked out of a wildlife area near Naples after an officer from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission heard gunshots.

Wildlife officials later found 21 dead birds nearby, including tree swallows and cormorants, which are protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Ensign Joseph Gursky, 22, and Ensign Cullen Shaughnessy, 22, both naval flight officers, were charged with felony trespass with a firearm, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission.

Wildlife officials also charged Ensigns Alexander Wilhelm and Mark McClure, both 24 and pilots, with misdemeanor trespassing, officials said.


Rest of article at: http://navytimes.com/news/2009/02/navy_deadbirds_022509w/%2e