Man who took owl on joy ride facing federal charges

A 28-year-old West Palm Beach man will face federal charges for picking up an injured owl and taking it on a joy ride, officials said.

Stervenson Benjamin has been charged with violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act for capturing, possessing and transporting the great horned owl — a federally protected species — on March 16. Officials announced the charges on Wednesday.

According to a statement from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the agency investigated the incident and discovered Benjamin was the driver of the car. He is seen in the video holding the owl who officials think is injured.

The charge is a misdemeanor, which can result in up to six months in jail and a $15,000 fine. Officials said they are not seeking a jail sentence.

The video came to light after the other man — who has not been identified by officials — posted the excursion on Facebook. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission declined to file charges against either man.

The state commission said the men told them they found the wounded owl and drove it to a safe place. In the video caption, the men claim they were smoking and drinking with the owl.

Officials have not been able to locate the animal.

kjacobson@sunsentinel.com, 561-243-6547 or Twitter @katejacobson