COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - A University of South Carolina trustee has pleaded not guilty to federal charges he illegally trapped and killed hawks in Orangeburg County.
Court papers show Charles Williams entered the plea Wednesday in Columbia.
Prosecutors last month charged Williams with seven counts of violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Three other men are each charged with one count.
Authorities say the men trapped red-tailed or Cooper's hawks at the 1,800-acre Willcreek Plantation during 2013 and 2014.
Authorities say the started investigating after an anonymous tip to wildlife agents. Investigators say agents serving a search warrant in 2014 seized several dozen bird carcasses.
Williams' attorneys didn't immediately return messages seeking comment. He could face up to six months in prison on each charge if convicted.
