United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Pierre, South Dakota, man convicted of Failure to Appear was sentenced on September 6, 2022, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.
Michael Pomani, age 44, was sentenced to time served of two months in federal prison, one year of supervised release with a condition that he be placed on home confinement for two months, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100. Pomani was also ordered to pay $16,800 in restitution to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the care of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation as a result of his illegal sale of bald eagle feathers, hawk wings, and owl feathers.
Pomani was indicted by a federal grand jury in May 10 of 2022. He pleaded guilty on June 6, 2022.
The conviction stemmed from an incident that occurred on Dec. 12, 2017, when Pomani failed to appear for his pretrial conference and jury trial. Pomani had previously been charged with violating the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and was released on bond in October 2017. Pomani knowingly failed to appear for his jury trial on the wildlife charges.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.
Pomani was released to begin serving his term of supervision.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
