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Adam Boguski, 43, pleaded guilty Monday 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, according to a joint statement from U.S. Attorney Deirdre Daly and Honora Gordon, special agent in charge of the Northeast Region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Office of Law Enforcement.
Both birds of prey are protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
In a federal court Monday in Hartford, Boguski admitted he and Thomas Kapusta – both described as “racing pigeon enthusiasts” – built a pigeon coop at 330 Weed Ave. in Stamford, according to officials.
The men kept a “large number” of racing pigeons in the coop and often allowed the birds to fly outside for exercise, officials said.
Viewing red-railed and Cooper’s hawks as threats, the men designed a trap specifically to capture the birds, which are raptors known to consume pigeons as a part of their natural diet, officials said.
Officials said Boguski captured, killed and then disposed of hawks Sept. 27 and Oct. 15 of last year. Kapusta of Westbury, N.Y., previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to take, capture and kill red-tailed hawks and four counts of taking, capturing and killing red-tailed hawks or Cooper’s hawks.
Boguski is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 11 by U.S. District Judge Robert Chatigny. He faces us to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $45,000.
Kapusta is scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 12.
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