Ruben Dean Littlehead, 38, Lawrence, Kan., and Brian K. Stoner, 32, Ponca City, Okla., are charged with unlawfully selling feathers from eagles and hawks covered by a federal law protecting migratory birds, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.

The crimes are alleged to have occurred in Douglas County, Kan.

Federal law prohibits taking, killing or possessing migratory birds. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service maintains a National Eagle Repository in Colorado for the purpose of providing Eagle feathers to Native Americans for use in Indian religious and cultural ceremonies.

 

According to the indictment:
*On Sept. 15, 2008, Littlehead sold a bustle made with 68 feathers from a Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos).
*On Nov. 22, 2008, Littlehead sold 11 tail feathers and a wing from a Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos).
*On Feb. 26, 2009, Littlehead and Stoner offered for sale parts of a Bald eagle, a Golden Eagle, and a Crested Caracara. They sold a tail feather fan made from feathers of a Bald eagle.
*On Feb. 26, 2009, they sold a bustle made of feathers of a rough-legged hawk and ferruginous hawk.

If convicted, they face a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each count.