Crime & Safety
Man Charged With Selling Bald Eagle Feathers: US Attorney
Man sold "bustles" from rare birds including hawks and bald eagles, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CA — A Santa Ana man was arrested Tuesday by special agents with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service after he was charged with unlawfully selling feathers from a bald eagle and other protected migratory birds.
Tyler Rene Vela, 27, was taken into custody without incident on a federal criminal complaint filed May 3 in Los Angeles, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The complaint outlines an undercover investigation conducted by Fish and Wildlife agents to identify those who illegally traffic in eagles, red-tail hawks and other protected bird species.
Find out what's happening in Fountain Valleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Following a series of Facebook messages covertly sent by law enforcement, Vela sold "bustles" made from feathers taken from red-tail hawks, turkey vultures and bald eagles, according to the complaint.
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. In 2015 and 2016, Vela allegedly negotiated prices, accepted payments and mailed the bustles to undercover agents.
Find out what's happening in Fountain Valleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Southern California is home to a variety of protected native and migratory bird species. Protected wildlife species are generally identified as threatened or endangered and are in need of protection to ensure the viability of the population.
Federal wildlife statutes are in place to protect migratory birds, red- tail hawks and other birds of prey, generally prohibiting the sale and trafficking of their parts. Use of the internet and social media platforms to sell protected bird species -- or any other threatened or endangered wildlife -- creates a market, increases demand and ultimately leads to the decimation of the vulnerable populations, prosecutors said.
The complaint charges Vela with two misdemeanor offenses of selling sub- adult bald eagle feathers and the parts of other protected migratory birds, including a red-tailed hawk.
If convicted of violating the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, Vela faces up to a year in federal prison. If convicted of violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, he faces the possibility of six months behind bars.
US Attorney's Office Photos