A 44-year-old member of the Tulalip Tribes was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 111 days in prison and two years of supervised release for clubbing two bald eagles to death, and then attempting to sell them, announced U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes. Shane Moses pleaded guilty in May 2015 to violating the Lacey Act. The Lacey Act prohibits trafficking in “illegal” wildlife, fish, and plants.
At sentencing, Chief U.S. District Judge Marsha J. Pechman said, “The destruction of these eagles is disturbing because they are a symbol of our country and because they are sacred to the tribes of our community.”
“The bald eagle is sacred to our Northwest Tribes and a symbol revered across our country,” said U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes. “The wanton clubbing of two of these majestic creatures is wrong and was punished today.”
According to records filed in the case, MOSES was crabbing on Tulalip Bay on December 27, 2013, when he saw two injured bald eagles in the water. Moses clubbed both eagles in the head with a gaff, fracturing their skulls. He put the eagles in a bucket, returned to shore and asked an acquaintance to drive him to a taxidermist’s where he hoped to be paid for the dead birds. The Tulalip Tribal Police became aware the dead eagles were being transported in the truck, made a traffic stop and seized the eagles. Ultimately, MOSES admitted to clubbing the birds. One was dead when seized by Tulalip Police, the other was suffering and was euthanized because of the injuries inflicted by MOSES.
The case was investigated by the Tulalip Tribal Police and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Seth Wilkinson.
“The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recognizes the importance of its fiduciary responsibility to all Native Americans," said Gary L. Young, Special Agent in Charge for the Office of Law Enforcement – Pacific Region. "Part of that responsibility is ensuring Native Americans have a legal means to obtain eagles for their cultural and religious needs. By conducting joint investigations with Tribal Police into the unlawful take and sale of eagles, the Tribes and the Service are putting a stop to illegal activities that could lead to the decimation of eagle populations in the United States.”
