Douglas Vance Crooked Arm, Eagle Trafficking, Montana 2013

State: Montana
Category: Wildlife Trafficking
Source: <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-mt/pr/douglas-vance-crooked-arm-and-kenneth-g-shane-sentenced-us-district-court" style="color:#cc0000;" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">DOJ Press Release ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Â Ã¢â‚¬â€

A shocking case of eagle trafficking has unfolded in Montana, with two men brought to justice for their crimes. Douglas Vance Crooked Arm, a 36-year-old resident of Crow Agency, and Kenneth G. Shane, a 45-year-old resident of Crow Agency, were sentenced in U.S. District Court in Billings on October 22, 2013.

Crooked Arm and Shane were found guilty of conspiracy to traffic in eagles and migratory birds, and unlawfully trafficking in migratory birds. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service investigation, dubbed ‘Operation Hanging Rock,’ uncovered a network of individuals involved in the unlawful sale of migratory bird feathers.

According to the investigation, Crooked Arm and Shane were involved in the illegal hunting and sale of golden eagles and other migratory birds. They would use deer and elk carcasses as bait to attract eagles, which they would then kill and sell for their feathers.

The investigation revealed that Crooked Arm and Shane had a sophisticated operation, with Crooked Arm making regalia to sell while Shane stayed home taking care of his kids. The family relied on this income to get by during the winter months.

Crooked Arm was sentenced to 4 years of probation, with 6 months of electronic monitoring, and was ordered to pay a special assessment of $200 and a fine of $3,000. Shane was sentenced to 1 year of probation and was ordered to pay a special assessment of $200 and a fine of $3,000.

The sentencing of Crooked Arm and Shane serves as a warning to those involved in wildlife trafficking. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service will continue to investigate and prosecute those who engage in these crimes. The public is urged to report any suspicious activity to the authorities.

In this case, the defendants were caught red-handed, with evidence of their crimes including the sale of golden eagle feathers and the use of deer and elk carcasses as bait.

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