RAPID CITY, S.D. - Federal authorities in South Dakota have charged 16 more defendants in a two-year undercover investigation into the illegal trafficking of eagle parts.
U.S. Attorney Randy Seiler announced the indictments Friday in Rapid City. They come on top of indictments he announced against 15 people in April for illegally trafficking in eagles and other migratory birds. The new defendants include operators of pawn shops in Rapid City and Mobridge, two actual pawn shops and other individuals from South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska and Idaho.
The case offers a window into the black market for eagle carcasses, feathers and other parts, which are often used in Native American-style handicrafts.
Federal law limits possession of eagle feathers and other parts to enrolled members of federally recognized tribes who use them in religious practices.
Indicted Individuals Include:Manuel Lieras: 39, Pocatello, ID, charged with violations of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act: CR 17-10032
Jason Brodersen: 46, Omaha, NE, charged with violations of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and Lacey Act: CR 17-50141
Sheldon Tree Top: 43, Mandan, ND, charged with violations of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and Lacey Act: CR 17-30116
Christopher Pomani: 37, Chamberlain, SD, charged with violations of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and Lacey Act: CR 17-30118
Michael Pomani: 20, Ft. Thompson, SD, charged with violations of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and Lacey Act: CR 17-30118
Arvella Pomani: 35, Pierre, SD, charged with violations of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, and Lacey Act: CR 17-30118
Wanda Dupris: 44, Eagle Butte, SD, charged with violations of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and Migratory Bird Treaty Act: CR-17-30119
Melinda Sue Relf, a/k/a Melinda Red Feather: 37, Pine Ridge, SD, charged with violations of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act: CR-17-50140
Fair Deal Pawn: Rapid City, SD, charged with violations of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act: CR-17-50138
Kenneth Foster, d/b/a Rapid Pawn: 28, Rapid City, SD, charged with violations of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act: CR-17-50136
Pawn With Us: Rapid City, SD, charged with violations of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act: CR-17-50139
Elray Rosaaen, d/b/a Buffalo Gap Trading Post: 72, Buffalo Gap, SD, charged with violations of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act: CR-17-50137
Jeffrey Alan Jensen, d/b/a Jerry’s Pawn Shop: 53, Mobridge, SD, charged with violations of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act: CR-17-30123
Amanda Silbernagel, d/b/a Jerry’s Pawn Shop: 30, Mobridge, SD, charged with violations of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act: CR-17-30123
Steven Ray Marin, d/b/a Mobridge Pawn: 46, Mobridge, SD, charged with violations of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act: CR-17-30124
Larry Belitz: 74, Hot Springs, SD, charged with violations of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and Lacey Act: CR-17-50157