HONOLULU (AP) — A college student who graduated from one of Hawaii's most prestigious high schools — former President Barack Obama's alma mater — was led out of a courtroom in handcuffs Thursday after a judge sentenced him to 45 days in jail for slaughtering vulnerable seabirds at a nature reserve.

The Laysan albatross is culturally significant to Native Hawaiians who consider them aumakua, or "revered ancestors and guardian spirits," prosecutors said in a sentencing memorandum, which called them "peaceful and trusting birds who do not recognize predators."

Gutierrez had to bear the brunt of public backlash that called for punishment of privileged teens because he was the only one charged who was 18 at the time, said his defense attorney, Myles Breiner.

Gutierrez accepted responsibility, expressed remorse and sought mental health treatment, Breiner said.

While we are relieved to be closing this painful chapter and feel that justice has been served for our wildlife," Pacific Rim Conservation said in a statement, "we also recognize that any time a young person is sent to jail is a sad day.