Tyler Rene Vela, Selling Feathers from Bald Eagles, California 2024

A Santa Ana man has been accused of cashing in on the black market by selling feathers from a bald eagle and other protected migratory birds.

According to a complaint filed in United States District Court, Tyler Rene Vela, 27, was arrested this morning without incident following an undercover investigation by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

The investigation, which began with a series of undercover Facebook messages, revealed that Vela sold "bustles" made from feathers taken from red-tail hawks, turkey vultures and bald eagles. A bustle is a string of either hawk or eagle feathers attached to a backboard and worn on the back during Native American dance exhibitions.

Vela allegedly negotiated prices, accepted payments and mailed the bustles to undercover agents between 2015 and 2016. The sale and trafficking of protected bird species, including the bald eagle, is prohibited under federal wildlife statutes.

The use of the internet and social media platforms to sell protected bird species has created a market, increased demand and ultimately led to the decimation of these vulnerable populations, according to wildlife experts.

If convicted of violating the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, Vela faces a statutory maximum sentence of one year in federal prison. If convicted of violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, he faces a statutory maximum of six months in federal prison.

Vela is scheduled to make his initial appearance in United States District Court this afternoon. The case is being investigated by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Amanda M. Bettinelli of the Environmental and Community Safety Crimes Section.

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