Two Suspected Illegal Immigrants Killed a Bald Eagle for Dinner. Federal Authorities Don’t Seem To Care.

Although the suspects stated to law enforcement that they intended to eat a bird, federal authorities aren’t bringing any charges against them

Two illegal immigrants are accused of shooting and killing a baldeagle, with the intent to cook it for dinner. However, the sheriff in the town who arrested them, says that federal authorities can keep them behind bars.

Stanton County, Neb. residents were left devastated by the incident. “disturbed” “offended,” Mike Unger, county sheriff told the Washington Free Beacon. As of now, both suspects can freely roam the country. Two men were accused of misdemeanors. Nebraska law stipulates that the two suspects can’t be in jail until the March 28th trial.

Stanton County officers responded to a call about a suspicious vehicle parked outside the Wood Duck State Wildlife Management. On February 28, the murder of the once endangered bald eagle was committed. Two Honduran nationals were found with the bird by officers on the spot. Unger explained that the two Honduran nationals carrying the dead bird spoke no English, and they had no identification other than documents from Honduran consulate.

The law prohibits killing bald eagles. The 1940 Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act is a federal law that can lead to a maximum of one year imprisonment. Federal authorities must bring those charges—in this case the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Unger claims he has repeatedly reached out to the agency but has received silence. A spokesperson for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service didn’t respond to a request.

“I’m very frustrated with the federal government,” Unger said.

Federal charges can be brought against bald-eagle killers as there is precedent. In June, a Tuscarawas County, Ohio man pleaded guilty for killing a baldeagle while hunting groundhogs. The court fined the man $10,000 and the Fish and Wildlife Service $10,000. He was also prohibited from hunting for five consecutive years.

In 2017, a Virginia man aged 62 was charged with shooting and killing the bald eagle. He also ran over it with his all-terrain car and claimed he was fleeing from the police. “upset it had been hunting and taking fish from a pond located on his property.” The man was sentenced for a month under house arrest, 100 hours community service and fines of $2,000.

“I’m trying to be as politically correct as possible when I say this but I don’t know what kind of third-world life they’re coming from, but it must have been pretty bad,” Unger explained, before adding, “His office won’t release photos of dead birds because it isn’t.” “very graphic” “contains lots of blood.”

Stanton County officials communicated with both suspects by using a translation app for their phones. Both were charged with unlawfully possessing a baldeagle and one with failing to have a driver’s licence. Unger explained that police officers are not allowed to ask about an individual’s immigration status. According to Unger, the two men who live in Stanton County told authorities they intended to eat that bird for dinner after having shot it with an unidentified camera. “assault-style” Unger stated that air rifle.

Since President Joe Biden’s election, more than 5 million migrants have crossed to the south border. The Biden administration proposed Last September, a new rule was created that would allow wind turbines to be used in a way that is less harmful to bald eagles. The federal government granted companies permission to kill more than 600 birds in 2021.