Eric Cuellar, UC Berkeley law student, pleads guilty in Las Vegas exotic bird killing case

(CBS/AP) BERKELEY - Eric Cuellar, a University of California, Berkeley law student accused in the death and decapitation of an exotic bird at a Las Vegas resort attraction, has pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor charge against him, CBS San Francisco reports.

PICTURES: Crimes against Animals (GRAPHIC IMAGES)

Cuellar pleaded Thursday to instigating or engaging in animal cruelty.

He was sentenced to 48 hours of community service and an alcohol counseling class. He was also ordered to pay a $200 fine and $150 in restitution to the Flamingo resort.

Police say 24-year-old Cuellar and fellow law student Justin Teixeira were seen Oct. 12, 2012 laughing and throwing around the body of a dead, 14-year-old helmeted guineafowl at the Flamingo's Wildlife Habitat.

Teixeira faces a felony charge of killing another person's animal and other torture and cruelty counts.

More on CrimesiderDecember 28, 2012 - Law students killed exotic bird at Las Vegas resort, prosecutors allege
October 15, 2012 - Law students arrested for allegedly beheading exotic bird in Las Vegas