ALBQUERQUE – Wayne Martin, 45, a member and resident of Cochiti Pueblo, N.M., pleaded guilty in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The guilty plea was entered without the benefit of a plea agreement.

Martin was charged in an indictment filed on June 15, 2016, with violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which makes it unlawful to possess, offer for sale, or sell any migratory bird, or any part or product of a migratory bird. The indictment alleged that Martin offered to sell three hawks without previously obtaining permission from the Secretary of the Department of the Interior. According to the indictment, Martin committed the crime on Feb. 29, 2012, in Sandoval County, N.M.

At sentencing, Martin faces a statutory maximum penalty of two years of imprisonment and a $2,000 fine. A sentencing date has yet to be scheduled.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy Peña.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 545 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resources offices and 81 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign and Native American tribal governments with their conservation efforts.