Alfred Craft, Eagle Poisoning, Arkansas 2006

Little Rock, AR – Alfred Craft was sentenced in February 2006 to five years in federal prison for deliberately poisoning a bald eagle with the pesticide Temac, a case that highlighted the dangers of improper pesticide use and the lengths to which authorities will go to protect endangered species. The conviction followed a protracted investigation by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, revealing a pattern of illegal activity and obstruction of justice.

Craft was initially charged in August 2004 with a litany of federal crimes stemming from the eagle’s death. Investigators determined Craft knowingly applied Temac in a manner inconsistent with its registered labeling – a direct violation of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). The application wasn’t limited to FIFRA violations; the resulting death of the bald eagle also triggered charges under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, both federal laws designed to safeguard avian populations.

The case took a further turn when Craft was accused of attempting to impede the investigation. He faced three counts of obstruction of justice (18 U.S.C. 1512(b)(1)), alleging he actively interfered with law enforcement efforts to determine the cause of the eagle’s death and to identify the responsible party. The EPA’s criminal enforcement program prioritizes cases where intentional misuse of pesticides results in significant environmental harm, and Craft’s actions clearly fell into that category.

The trial, held in July 2005, presented compelling evidence linking Craft to the poisoning. Forensic analysis confirmed the presence of Temac in the eagle’s system, and testimony established Craft had access to and utilized the pesticide in a manner specifically prohibited by the product’s instructions. The prosecution successfully argued that Craft’s actions were not accidental but a deliberate disregard for both the law and the well-being of protected wildlife. The jury found Craft guilty on all counts.

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Financial Penalties & Restitution

Beyond the 60-month prison sentence and 36 months of supervised probation, Craft was subjected to substantial financial penalties. A $2,700 special assessment fee was levied, along with a $50,000 federal fine. Furthermore, he was ordered to pay $11,907 in restitution to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission to cover costs associated with the investigation and the impact on the state’s wildlife resources. The total judicially mandated financial penalty amounted to $126,440.

Key Facts

Defendant: Alfred Craft
State: Arkansas
Year: 2006
Crime: Poisoning a Bald Eagle with Temac pesticide
Statutes Violated: 7 U.S.C. 136j (a)(2)(G) (FIFRA), 16 U.S.C. 668 (Bald & Golden Eagle Protection Act), 16 U.S.C. 703 (Migratory Bird Treaty Act), 18 U.S.C. 1512(b)(1) (Obstruction of Justice)
Sentence: 60 months incarceration, 36 months probation, $126,440 in fines and restitution.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the severe consequences associated with the illegal use of pesticides and the deliberate harm to protected species. The EPA continues to aggressively pursue criminal enforcement actions against individuals and entities who violate federal environmental laws, ensuring accountability and deterring future offenses.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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