United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that an additional sixteen individuals have been indicted for the illegal trafficking of eagles and other migratory birds. These individuals are in addition to the 15 individuals that were indicted earlier this year. The Indictments are a result of a two-year undercover operation, dubbed Project Dakota Flyer.
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
Initial appearances have been set for Friday October 6, 2017, in Pierre, Wednesday Oct. 11, 2017, in Rapid City, and Thursday Oct. 12, 2017, in Aberdeen. This case is being investigated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Meghan N. Dilges and Eric Kelderman are prosecuting the cases.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
