Indianapolis Colts safety Rodney Thomas II, father of Indianapolis Colts safety Rodney Thomas II, was charged with federal charges last week for allegedly shooting a bald eagle in Pennsylvania, officials said last week.
Office of the U.S. Attorney General, Western District of Pennsylvania announced On July 18, a federal grand jury indicted a 50-year-old man for shooting a bald eagle to death with an air rifle.
“Authorities continue to investigate and prosecute environmental and wildlife crimes under federal law, including the unlawful killing of the bald eagle, the national bird of the United States since 1782,” U.S. Attorney Eric G. Orshan said in a statement.
Report: Rodney Thomas, Father of Indianapolis #Colts Defensive back Rodney Thomas II has been arrested on suspicion of shooting a bald eagle in Pennsylvania. @nypost. pic.twitter.com/kJG7aRDGEw
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) July 23, 2023
The bald eagle carcass was found on May 12 near Cherry Valley Dam in Mount Pleasant Township. according to to the Pennsylvania Gaming Commission. A white SUV was found at the scene, but police have not released information about the suspect.
A few days later, the office announced that a suspect had been identified. Turning Thomas’ indictment was announced by the Attorney General’s Office more than two months later.new york post beginning Thomas has been identified as the alleged culprit.
“The bald eagle is our nation’s national bird and is widely recognized as a symbol of our national independence,” Washington County District Attorney Jason Walsh said in a statement. (Related: Report: Buffalo Bills’ Nyheim Hines expected to miss 2023 season after jet ski freak accident)
“An iconic species like the bald eagle deserves our protection. My office worked diligently with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Pennsylvania Gaming Commission, and the Mount Pleasant Police Department to identify, prosecute, and bring those responsible to justice.”
If convicted, Thomas could face up to a year in prison, a fine of up to $5,000, or both.
