Four arrested for investigation of bald eagle poaching

Members of federally recognized Indian tribes are entitled to obtain permits to possess eagle parts for religious purposes, but federal law prohibits the sale of eagles or their feathers and parts under any circumstance. SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Four men accused of killing and selling bald and golden eagles and other protected birds were arrested Thursday by federal agents.

Arrested were Ricky Sam Wahchumwah, of Granger, Wash.; Alfred L. Hawk Jr., of White Swan, Wash.; William Wahsise, of White Swan, Wash.; and Reginald Dale Akeen, also known as J.J. Lonelodge, of Anadarko, Okla. All were arrested for investigation of violating the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and the Lacey Act.

The three men from Washington were in custody in Spokane, and had not yet made a court appearance, said Joan Jewett of the FWS in Portland, Ore. Akeen was in custody in another state, she said.

A complaint filed in federal court in Eastern Washington alleges that Hawk sold undercover agents a bald eagle tail, two golden eagle tails, one set of golden eagle wings, four red-shafted northern flicker tails, four rough-legged hawk tails, and two northern harrier tails, all for $3,000.

A second complaint contends Hawk and Wahsise hunted and killed three bald eagles by sitting near some wild horses killed to bait and attract the birds.

A third complaint alleges Wahchumwah sold one golden eagle tail to an undercover agent for $500.

A fourth complaint, filed in federal court in Oregon, alleges that Akeen made several sales to an undercover agent, including two fans made from juvenile golden eagle feathers worth more than $3,000.

It could not be determined Thursday night whether the men had attorneys.

``The illegal actions of a few selfish individuals have the potential to hurt the interests of the majority of people who respect the resource,'' said Paul Chang, law enforcement chief for Fish and Wildlife's Pacific Region. ``It is alarming that eagles, sacred to many, could be at risk because of the illegal greed-driven actions of relatively few individuals.''

Eagles and other protected birds are viewed as sacred in many Native American cultures and the feathers of the birds are used for religious purposes.

The Fish and Wildlife Service operates the National Eagle Repository, which collects eagles that die naturally to supply tribal members with eagle parts for religious use.

The cases will be prosecuted by the U.S. attorneys' offices of the Eastern District of Washington and the District of Oregon, and the Justice Department's Environmental Crimes Section.

The charges carry prison terms of up to two years and fines of $250,000 per offense.