Elected official charged after online post about killing, eating federally protected birds

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Iberville Parish Councilman Raheem Pierce learned the hard way that not everything should be posted to social media.

In a post about his breakfast Friday, Pierce noted "Fried Robin fresh out of the backyard for breakfast! #countrylife #wecansurvive."

State Wildlife Agents showed up at Pierce's door Friday after the post was made and issued a summons for "taking Robins." Robins are migratory song birds that are federally protected. Agents with LDWF said possible penalties could be up to a $1,000 fine and/or 120 days in jail. Pierce admits that he killed at least 10 Robins but did not know that was illegal.

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"We used a pellet gun," Pierce said. "I only ate four."

Pierce talked to WBRZ over ZOOM and took full responsibility for his actions. He said he was in Alabama helping with tornado cleanup.

"I would not be a very intelligent person with the position that I'm in to post something illegal," Pierce said. "It was a simple mistake that I was unaware of."

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