Activist and attorney Wayne Hsiung was handed down a sentence of 2 years probation and a stint of 90 days in the clink following convictions for felony conspiracy to commit trespass and a double count of the act at Sonoma County Farms, according to the Sonoma County District Attorney's Office. The farm invasions in question were carried out by Hsiung alongside a flock of activists from Direct Action Everywhere (DxE), who stirred up quite the storm on two separate occasions, in 2018 and 2019.

Jurists found Hsiung guilty in November, and Judge Laura Passaglia played referee at today's sentencing, calling for an order that bars Hsiung from magpie-ing around the victimized farms and entering any other commercial animal feeding operations in the region without permission. As part of Hsiung's formal probation, he's also to avoid any chit-chat with the alleged co-conspirators and could be searched by authorities at any given moment without a warrant. The court has yet to decide on restitution for the victims.

In a statement, District Attorney Carla Rodriguez crowed, “The First Amendment is not a license to commit crime. Mr. Hsiung went beyond mere activism and decided to engage in unlawful, reckless, and potentially dangerous behavior, putting the farmers, their employees, and flocks of birds at risk of harm by his conduct.,” stated on the official website of the Sonoma County District Attorney's Office Official website. It appears that the D.A. perceives Hsiung's protests as far more than just clucking nuisances.

The drama unfolded on May 29, 2018, when Hsiung and a veritable aviary of DxE members descended like a force of nature on Sunrise Farms, where they allegedly helped themselves to a few chickens and shuttered farm operations for hours. The following year's encore at Reichardt Duck Farm saw more of the same, with Hsiung and company chaining themselves to various farm fixtures and, in a defiant quack at property laws, "removed" some ducks. The stunt also ruffled a processing plant conveyor belt, once again grinding farm work to a halt for an extended period of time. Deputy District Attorneys Robert Waner and Jessalee Mills prosecuted the case, while District Attorney Investigator Alexis Bartley and the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office spearheaded the investigation.