A Greensburg man yesterday pleaded guilty in federal court to offering to sell a tiger skin, a violation of the Endangered Species Act.

Barry McMaster, 60, owner of Exotic & Unique Gifts, was arrested in 2004, with his son, Kevin McMaster.

Both were caught as part of a yearlong undercover investigation by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in which Mr. McMaster offered an agent the skin of a tiger shipped from his son's store in Florida.

The federal charge of offering an endangered species for sale in interstate commerce is a misdemeanor, punishable by a maximum of a year in prison, a fine of $50,000, or both.

Mr. McMaster, who is free on bond, is to be sentenced Feb. 15.

Kevin McMaster, who pleaded guilty in January 2006 in Miami to selling more than $200,000 worth of skins and other items, including gorilla skulls and baby tiger mounts, is serving a 25-month prison sentence.

A spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney's office said such crimes are rare in this area, averaging about one a year in federal court in Pittsburgh. Past cases have involved the sale of Indian star tortoises and a black panther skin.