Steller Mauricio Fallas, forest ranger from the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC), will serve a 12-year sentence for attempted murder.
The official was convicted on August 28th, 2015. His case dates back to September, 18th, 2009.
That day, a man surnamed Castro was looking for turtle eggs, which is an illegal activity. While doing that, 2 guards, one of them was Steller, arrived to the site.
Steller approached Castro and asked him to show him the bag which contained the turtle eggs, but the victim refused. Apparently, they started a fight and the ranger shot, causing a wound in Castro`s chest.
Steller’s lawyer, Roberto Zamora, explained that his client will serve the sentence once the physical documents are delivered to him in the Zona Sur. However, they are considering taking the case to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) in Washington.
Environmental groups and Steller’s partners asked to issue him a full pardon and argued that the poacher acted violently.
According to forensic reports, Castro suffered from chest numbness; he was unable to move his lower limbs, he had urination problems and other difficulties in his body functions.