Montana Men Indicted for Illegal Eagle Killing and Trafficking

Two men in Montana have been charged with hunting and killing approximately 3,600 birds, including bald eagles, and selling them on the black market. Court documents reveal that the accused men knowingly and willfully engaged in the illegal activity, with messages indicating their intent to obtain tail feathers for future sales. The men face charges of conspiracy, unlawfully trafficking bald and golden eagles, and violating the Lacey Act, a conservation law combating wildlife trafficking. If convicted, they could face imprisonment, fines, and supervised release. The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, enacted to protect these national symbols, criminalizes the taking, selling, hunting, or offering to sell eagles or their parts. Shootings are a leading cause of death for protected birds in certain states, according to a recent study.