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Published Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012 | 11:31 a.m.
Updated Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012 | 12:03 p.m.
Eric Cuellar
Justin Teixeira
Map of Wildlife Habitat
Wildlife Habitat
3555 Las Vegas Blvd South, Las Vegas
Two University of California-Berkeley law students have been charged for their alleged roles in an October incident that resulted in the decapitation of an exotic bird at the Flamingo’s Wildlife Habitat.
Clark County District Attorney Steven Wolfson announced the filing of criminal charges Thursday morning against Justin Teixeira, 24, and Eric Cuellar, 24.
A witness told security she saw two men, later identified as Cuellar and Teixeira, walk out of bushes in the habitat with the dead bird, a 14-year-old helmeted guinea fowl named Turk, on the morning of Oct. 12, according to a Metro Police arrest report. Teixeira, who was holding the bird, allegedly threw it toward Cuellar and said, "I (expletive) killed wildlife," the report states.
“This was a cruel and malicious act,” Wolfson said. “It is important to hold people accountable for their actions.”
Teixeira is charged with killing another person’s animal (felony), torturing, overdriving, injuring or abandoning animals (felony), conspiracy to torture, harass or abandon animals (gross misdemeanor), and instigating, engaging in or furthering an act of cruelty to an animal (misdemeanor). If convicted on all counts, Teixeira could be sentenced to time in prison, county jail time, probation, Wolfson’s office said.
Cuellar is charged with instigating, engaging in or furthering an act of cruelty to an animal (misdemeanor). If convicted, Cuellar could face a sentence of two days to six months in jail, 48 to 120 hours of community service, and a $200 to $1,000 fine, prosecutors said.
Surveillance video captured a third person with Teixeira and Cuellar following the bird, and Wolfson said an ongoing investigation could result in criminal charges against one or more additional individuals.
Shortly after news of the arrests became public, Christopher Edley Jr., dean of the Cal law school, issued this statement: "I'm extremely troubled by news accounts of the students' actions off campus, but it's up to the Nevada legal system to examine the facts and rule in this case. It's premature to speculate about any possible consequences; the justice system must run its course."
Teixeira and Cuellar, who were arrested Oct. 12, have been free on bond. The two face a Feb. 11 arraignment in Las Vegas Township Justice Court.
They were probably disappointed they couldn't make any "hook-ups" so the next thing juveniles resort to is crime/fights.
I sure hope the college kids go somewhere else on spring break
Two local kids stoned a pregnant cat in labor and got off with a wrist slap. Yet these guys are treated like hardened criminals.
This will be kicked down to nothing charges, small fines and they will be on their way.
Really too bad though, hoped they would be kicked out of law school. We really don't need their type dealing with the law when they can't follow it.
No Las Vegas media have published or linked to the actual arrest report, although one paper did run an unreadable thumbnail. For crying out loud, it's not even in The Smoking Gun. Would it be possible to get a link to a PDF of the report(s)?
I say throw the book at them Literally...
"Two local kids stoned a pregnant cat in labor and got off with a wrist slap. Yet these guys are treated like hardened criminals."
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No one is lessening their behavior but I'm not going to compare two idiot 11 year olds with two 24 year old law student adults. The 11 year olds might be able to be rehabilitated. These 2 adult morons are long past rehab. They are what they are for life. Both should have known better and both should face the maximum penalty.
Off with their heads.
Look like punks to me. How about sending them to jail for awhile, that will take the smile off thier faces.
Yes ashley they are criminals and should be treated as much.
Pure scum. I'd say they are ready for political office.
@Tom..."two 24 year old law student adults...are long past rehab. They are what they are for life."
Tom, just because you have not experienced personal growth in your life and are just as immature and ignorant as you were in your 20's doesn't mean every one is as limited as you.
If these two did kill this bird, just for fun, then should be dealt with and face the consequences. However, stoning a birthing cat and her newborn kittens seems a heck of a lot worse than killing a game bird. These creatures are regularly hunted, birthing cats are not.
Yes, the bird didn't belong to them, so we have the theft issue and the fowl was not killed for food or true sport and these issues demand accountability, especially since this happened at a casino.
After all this is Las Vegas, where firing seven rounds into the skull of an unarmed man is acceptable, but don't you dare touch one of Caesar's animals.