Associated Press
ATTICA, N.Y. — A western New York man faces sentencing for illegally possessing more than 100 turtles, a screech owl and several other birds.
John Volpe was found guilty earlier this month of 190 counts of violating New York environmental law following a non-jury trial in Attica Village Court. Volpe testified that the wildlife was part of his Native American culture and had religious and ceremonial meaning.
Authorities say he could face fines and/or jail time when he is sentenced on Monday.
Volpe was charged in February 2014 after state Department of Environmental Conservation officers and a U.S. Fish and Wildlife agent searched his Attica home. Among other things, they confiscated 102 snapping turtles, three live song birds, and dozens of taxidermy mounts of protected species.