A federal judge in South Dakota has sentenced a Montana man to three years in prison for trafficking eagle feathers, wings, and tails.
Harvey Hugs, 59, of Hardin, Montana, was sentenced Monday in Rapid City. He was found guilty in February of three counts of violating the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, the Rapid City Journal reported.
It’s illegal to possess, use, or sell eagles or their parts in the U.S., though there are exceptions for cultural institutions and Native Americans using them in religious ceremonies. Federal officials operate a clearinghouse to make eagles and eagle parts available to tribal members, as well as authorized zoos and museums.
ILLEGAL MIGRANTS ACCUSED OF SHOOTING BALD EAGLE: NEBRASKA SHERIFF SAYS COMMUNITY IN ‘UPROAR’