Man who shot hawks gets jail, fine, community service

An Atlantic County man who shot and killed, or attempted to kill, four species of federally protected hawks was sentenced Monday to six hours in jail, U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman said.

Robert Losasso, 70, of Somers Point, had previously pleaded guilty to six counts of violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which offers protections under international conventions.

A complaint filed by Fishman's office in August 2013 said Losasso's neighbors had reported seeing more than 40 dead or injured birds in their yards since 2010. One targeted species, the red-shouldered hawk, is considered endangered in New Jersey.

Losasso will serve the jail time on Jan. 5. U.S. Magistrate Judge Steven C. Mannion also sentenced Losasso to 18 months of supervised release, during which he cannot own a firearm, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Losasso also owes $4,350 in restitution to wildlife rehabilitation facilities and must perform 60 hours of community service at one such facility.

His attorney couldn't be reached Monday evening.

- Andrew Seidman