Man arrested, charged with killing federally protected bird

Rachael Perry

By: News Staff

Email: news@abc6.com

Twitter: @ABC6

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A South Kingstown man is facing charges for killing a federally protected bird.

Brian Briggs, 56, was arrested on May 9th, after reports came forward that a hunter fired a shotgun using buckshot, and hit a nearby home.

Rhode Island DEM officials investigated the incident whereupon they discovered a freshly-killed Great Blue Heron, seven firearms, and three deer heads taken without reporting.

Briggs was a convicted felon for a prior crime of violence, thus prohibiting him from possessing firearms, authorities noted.

Briggs was charged with the following offenses:

  • Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in violent crime.
  • Killing/possessing a protected bird.
  • Unlawful possession of deer.
  • Hunting without a license.
  • Two counts of failure to tag/check whitetail deer.

Briggs was arraigned and released on $5,000 personal recognizance. 

©WLNE-TV / ABC6 2017

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