A Bradford County man will pay over $1,500 in fines and costs for illegally bartering for a bald eagle skull at an Adamstown trade show in 2015.
John E. Palfreyman, 63, was charged last year with trading a river otter skull for the eagle skull, possessed by undercover federal agents, at the Adamstown Rod & Gun Club on Aug. 29, 2015.
Palfreyman was convicted last year in district court of summary counts of bartering game and violation of the federal migratory bird act.
He appealed the summary conviction and a hearing was held Monday in Lancaster County Court. Assistant District Attorney Christine L. Wilson appeared, along with an officer from the state Game Commission and three U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agents, but there was no testimony.
Palfreyman, after hearing potential penalties upon conviction, withdrew his appeal.
Lancaster County Judge Howard Knisely, as standard, reviewed the potential penalties prior to testimony. The judge told Palfreyman he faces up to a year in prison and a $5,000 fine, if convicted of one of the counts.
Palfreyman and his attorney then asked the judge for a brief recess. They returned to inform the judge they would be withdrawing the appeal.
Palfreyman must pay the original $1,519 fine and costs ordered at the district court hearing.
Pennsylvania Game Commission Officer Gregory Graham filed the citations.
MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright