Couple convicted for selling eagle parts

YAKIMA -- A Granger couple were found guilty in federal court of conspiring to illegally sell bald eagle and golden eagle parts, including feathers.

Jurors in U.S. District Court in Yakima returned the verdict late Thursday following a trial that started Sept. 13.

Ricky Wahchumwah, 38, was convicted of conspiracy, three counts of selling or offering to sell eagle parts and one count of selling wildlife in violation of the Lacey Act.

His wife, 39-year-old Victoria Jim, was convicted of conspiracy, two counts of selling or offering to sell eagle parts and one count of acquiring wildlife in violation of the Lacey Act, which prohibits trafficking in wildlife.

Both are members of the Yakama Nation.

Federal prosecutors accused the couple of acquiring eagle parts since at least 2008.

Following an undercover sting, wildlife agents seized from the couple four eagle carcasses, at least 60 eagle wings, 37 eagle tail bases, approximately 90 eagle feet with talons, at least 728 loose wing feathers, 32 complete sets of tail feathers, at least 102 loose tail feathers and three containers of eagle plumes, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office in Spokane.

Defense attorneys argued that the couple were following traditional American Indian ways in collecting the feathers and other parts.

Wahchumwah is an experienced maker of traditional regalia, including eagle feather bustles, and was gathering material for his children and several other young relatives under his care, according to a defense brief.

Sentencing was set for Dec. 8.

Two White Swan men, both Yakama members, face sentencing Oct. 13 in a similar case.

Alfred Hawk Jr. and William Wahsise pleaded guilty to felony and misdemeanor charges in July, federal prosecutors said.

They were accused of killing wild horses to bait the eagles into a kill zone.

Multiple feathers and other parts were seized from both of their homes, prosecutors said.

Federal law allows Native Americans to kill eagles with a permit. Eagle parts for traditional and ceremonial needs are also available from naturally killed birds through a federal repository.

U.S. Attorney Jim McDevitt in Spokane said in a news release that he hoped the cases would send a message that the black-market eagle trade needs to stop.