A Central Texas taxidermist has pleaded guilty to illegally selling horns from an endangered black rhinoceros.
The U.S. Department of Justice says John A. Brommel of Austin pleaded guilty Thursday in Waco to knowingly selling a black rhino's horns to non-Texas residents.
The 53-year-old Brommel, who awaits sentencing, also admitted falsifying the bill of sale to hide that the buyers weren't from Texas.
Brommel has owned and operated the Corner Shoppe taxidermy shop for more than 25 years. He was charged as part of a nationwide effort by federal officials to investigate and prosecute those involved in the black market trade of rhino horns and other protected species.
Prosecutors did not immediately release information on sentencing for Brommel in the plea deal.
