Associated Press Release

BRUNSWICK, Ga. (AP) -- A coastal Georgia man has pleaded guilty to stealing loggerhead sea turtle eggs and U.S. attorney's officials say he was planning to sell them.

WTOC-TV (http://bit.ly/11aTDgH ) reported Thursday that 58-year-old Lewis Jackson Sr., of Brunswick, pleaded guilty to charges of stealing more than 150 loggerhead sea turtle eggs from nests on Sapelo Island -- about 40 miles south of Brunswick. Loggerhead sea turtles are considered an endangered species.

U.S. Attorneys officials say the eggs were packaged for resale and could be sold for as much as $15 each.

Authorities say Jackson faces a maximum of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. A sentencing date has not been set.