Four men were arrested by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for allegedly killing and selling bald and golden eagle feathers and parts.

Ricky Sam Wahchumwah, Alfred L. Hawk Jr., William Wahsise and Reginald Dale Akeen are accused of violating the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Ac and the Lacey Act. The men allegedly sold eagle feathers and parts to undercover agents.

Wahchumwah, Hawk and Wahsise are all from the Yakama Nation in Washington. Akeen, also known as J.J. Lonelodge, is Kiowa from Anadarko, Oklahoma.

Members of federally recognized tribes can apply for permits to kill eagles but only four have been granted in the history of the program. Tribal members can also ask for eagle feathers and parts from the National Eagle Repository but the process takes years.

Get the Story:
Four face charges in sales of feathers (The Oregonian 3/13)
Press Release: FOUR ARRESTED IN KILLINGS OF EAGLES AND OTHER PROTECTED BIRDS (US Fish and Wildlife 3/12)
4 arrested for investigation of eagle poaching (AP 3/12)