A Senator in the Northern Marianas, Juan Ayuyu, has pleaded guilty to the smuggling of endangered fruit bats from Rota to Saipan.
The senator from Rota pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the Endangered Species Act and conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding.
He is expected to receive a jail term between 33 and 44 months under a plea agreement with the US government.
Ayuyu will be sentenced in November.
He is expected to resign soon.