A federal grand jury has indicted a Canonsburg man on a count of killing a bald eagle in Mount Pleasant in the spring.
Rodney Thomas, 50, is accused of violating the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.
The U.S. attorney’s office and the Washington County District Attorney’s Office said Thomas shot the eagle with an air rifle on May 12.
“This office remains committed to investigating and prosecuting environmental and wildlife offenses under federal law, including the unlawful killing of bald eagles — the United States’ national bird since 1782,” said U.S. Attorney Eric G. Olshan.
Jason Walsh, the Washington County DA, said the bald eagle deserves protection as the symbol of American independence.
The case was investigated by the Mount Pleasant police, the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Torsten covers the courts for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, but he's currently on strike. Reach him at jtorsteno@gmail.com.
