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Fruit bat poacher gets 3 months
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Posted on Sep 29 2011
U.S. Attorney’s for Guam and CNMI District Alicia A.G. Limtiaco announced Wednesday that Adrian A. Mendiola was sentenced to 90 days in prison, followed by a six-month term of supervised release with conditions that he not possess a firearm and perform 100 hours of community service.
Mendiola’s sentence was the result of a jury trial and conviction in May 2011 for unlawfully possessing Mariana fruit bat, after authorities searched Mendiola’s home and found four frozen fruit bats in his freezer. Authorities searched his resident shortly after two of the three maternity fruit bat colonies on Rota had been poached in late 2008.
“This case signifies the community’s acknowledgement of the importance of protecting and respecting our environment and natural resources,” said Limtiaco. “It serves as a reminder that not only will offenders be prosecuted, but that they will be punished for their violations, and in the process, threatened species such as the fanihi will be protected. Thus, violations of the Endangered Species Act, whether involving fruit bats, turtles, or other wild or marine life, will be prosecuted and offenders will be held accountable.”
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service conducted the investigation with assistance from other federal agency partners, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric administration. The CNMI Division of Fish and Wildlife also provide critical assistance during the investigation and prosecution. Assistant U.S. attorney Kirk Schuler prosecuted the case.[I] (PR)[/I]
