Posted on 02/18/2023 5:32:57 AM PST by Saije
Afederal jury found a Hardin, Montana man guilty of selling eagle feathers in South Dakota Tuesday.
The jury found that Harvey Hugs, 59, is guilty of three counts of violating the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act in 2020 after a two-day trial at the federal courthouse in Rapid City.
The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act was enacted in 1940. The act prohibits the possession, use and sale of eagles or their feathers and parts. Exceptions to the act include the use of eagles by Native Americans. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service operates the National Eagle Repository as a clearinghouse for eagles and eagle parts to provide Native Americans with eagle feathers for religious and cultural use.
For violating the act, Hugs faces a maximum penalty of two years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, one year of supervised release, and a $300 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund, according to a U.S. Attorney's Office press release.
According the U.S. Attorney's Office, Montana authorities received information in February 2020 that Hugs was involved in trafficking golden eagle feathers. Between Aug. 20, 2020 and Nov. 3, 2020, law enforcement used recorded phones call and text messages in which Hugs offered to sell various eagle feathers.
On two separate occasions, he sold golden eagle tails for several hundred dollars each. On a third occasion, Hugs sold a set of golden eagle wings and a gold eagle tail for $1,000. He then shipped the feathers to South Dakota.
(Excerpt) Read more at rapidcityjournal.com ...
Golden Eagle ping
There are many Bald Eagles near us. One overflew us while kayaking and dropped a feather.
My young sons were with me and I told them to not even think about it.
But wind turbines can chop them up all day long and that’s okay.
I’m a firm believer in “jury nullification”...in certain situations. As a juror I can’t imagine having voted “guilty” in this case regardless of how convincing the evidence against him was. I simply don’t accept the validity of a law like this.
My first thought on this is, “how many eagles are killed by the wind mills?” Who’s doing the greater harm?
Once when I was young I found a perfect bald eagle primary feather in central Oregon. I kept it for a while, but when I found out what kind of trouble I could get in, I got rid of it.
I don’t think we need a hunting season, but the Bald Eagle is no longer endangered.
That is a bald Eagle.Golden eagles aren’t that gorgeous.
But not one word from the Biden admin about the thousands of eagles killed yearly by their stupid windmill turbines.
https://www.voanews.com/a/wind-energy-boom-and-golden-eagles-collide-in-the-us-west/6708195.html
I wondered about that, too, why this law was passed. Per the article it goes back to 1940 so I don’t know, was something going on that point about eagles being hunted down for their feathers.
Exactly! What kind of country would give you 2 years and 250K fine for picking up a freaking bird feather?
Someone ratted this guy out. What I want to know is how they recorded his calls and texts? Did they get a FISA warrant lol.
In this case the man was shipping the eagle parts across state lines so the Feds would have jurisdiction.
But I don’t believe simple possession of eagle feathers should be covered by Federal law. Particularly in states where they are common.
Picking up a shed feather and keeping it can not harm the bird.
Had the same thought. You beat me to it. Well said.
Well, I know I feel safer now
Within the last month I have seen two videos of eagles being killed by wind mills.
Breaks your heart to watch that.
No one was charged for killing them.
Legally sacrificed by the global warming cult.
when the feds show up, identify as an American Indian.
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