Colts’ Safety Rodney Thomas’s Father Arrested For Shooting Dead The National Bird
Prosecutors allege that the father of an Indianapolis Colts safety Rodney Thomas, shot and killed a bald eagle, leading to his detention and subsequent prosecution.
Colts’ Safety Rodney Thomas’s Father Arrested For Shooting Dead The National Bird
According to court records filed in federal court, a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh accused and charged Rodney Thomas Sr., the father of NFL safety Rodney Thomas II, for allegedly violating the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.
NFL safety Rodney Thomas’ father arrested for fatally shooting bald eagle https://t.co/cVInMjcTe1 pic.twitter.com/Cqozyzpss0
— New York Post (@nypost) July 22, 2023
The older Thomas was charged this week with violating the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh. This legislation passed in 1940, forbids anybody from “taking” bald or golden eagles, including their components such feathers, nests, or eggs, without a permit given by the Secretary of the Interior.
According to the accusation, Thomas shot and killed a bald eagle named Haliaeetus leucocephalus on May 12 in Mount Pleasant Township, Pennsylvania, “knowingly or with wanton” behaviour.
Indianapolis Colts safety Rodney Thomas II's father charged after reportedly shooting bald eagle to death in Pittsburghhttps://t.co/rlBdS5clRr
— FOX59 News (@FOX59) July 22, 2023
The definition of “take” according to the Act includes “pursue, shoot, shoot at, poison, wound, kill, capture, trap, collect, molest or disturb.”
Thomas turned himself in to police quickly after reportedly shooting the bird to death in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, on May 12. However, it took them more than two months to identify him or announce his accusations. Residents of Mount Pleasant were furious over the hesitation.
The father of Colts' safety Rodney Thomas II gunned down a beloved bald eagle in May.
Now, he faces up to $5,000 in fines and a year behind bars.https://t.co/IwcHO9cSne
— OutKick (@Outkick) July 22, 2023
One of two eagles who nested in the region for almost two decades was the unfortunate one.
According to a couple who spoke to The Post, residents called the magnificent bird “Sam” after the Muppet Vision 3D character from Disney.
Indianapolis Colts safety Rodney Thomas II's father charged after reportedly shooting bald eagle to death in Pittsburghhttps://t.co/0qC0H6uYAd
— CBS4 Indy (@CBS4Indy) July 22, 2023
He might be sentenced to a year in jail or a fine of $100,000 for his first violation. Additional crimes may result in harsher punishments, and a second violation of the Act is a felony.
The Colts selected 25-year-old Yale University star Thomas II in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
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