A member of the Crow Tribe of Montana who said he killed an eagle for religious purposes was sentenced to three years probation by a federal judge. Protection Act.

Duane Neil Costa pleaded guilty to possession of a bald eagle in violation of the Bald and Golden Eagle. He faced up to a year in prison and a $100,000 fine but the judge gave him probation because he accepted responsibility.

Federal prosecutors, however, were seeking jail time. They said Costa actually shot the bird with a rifle and that it wasn't injured as he claimed.

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Crow tribal member gets probation in eagle's death (The Billings Gazette 12/16)