A 38-year-old member of the Lummi Nation is facing federal charges for the unlawful possession of firearms and the killing of protected bald eagles. Joel David Ridley, was taken into custody by Lummi Nation Police following an investigation into several gunshots that also resulted in the discovery of a dead eagle, as well as one severely injured, which later had to be euthanized, reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Upon investigation, police discovered Ridley's SUV, which was parked in a driveway and contained a deceased eagle. Ridley, who has a prior assault conviction from 2003, is prohibited from owning firearms. However, officers found a .22 caliber Savage rifle concealed in his vehicle. After his arrest, both eagles were taken to the Washington State Humane Society in Bellingham, where it was confirmed that they had suffered gunshot wounds. The younger eagle was too severely injured to be saved.
While the Lummi Nation does have rights for handling eagles within the confines of their territory, the method by which Ridley allegedly took these birds is not covered by their permits. The tribe's existing permit does not allow for taking eagles through shooting, poisoning, or trapping. Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller announced the charges, noting the seriousness of Ridley's alleged violations.
The bald eagle, a protected species, is central to the charges against Ridley. Illegal firearm possession may result in up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The misdemeanor violation of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act could lead to an additional year in prison and a potential $100,000 fine. Assistant United States Attorney Celia Lee, who also serves as a Tribal Liaison, is prosecuting the case, which is being investigated by the Lummi Nation Police Department and the FBI. These charges are allegations, and Ridley is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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