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Wednesday,
March 05, 2003
Press Release
South Dakota Game,
Fish and Parks News
Three law enforcement
officials from three separate agencies combined efforts last fall to resolve a
case involving the killing of a bald eagle.
The investigation took
off when a newspaper ad placed by Game, Fish and Parks Conservation Officer Mike
Yost sparked a Turn In Poachers (TIPs) call that provided information about the
illegal eagle killing. Yost had the eagle in possession.
"I received information
that the bald eagle was shot by Nathan Harford of Tulare, Yost said. "More
information was soon added from the Spink County Sheriff's Office about Harford
shooting the eagle. Then Chief Deputy Larry Morrison, along with U.S. Fish and
Wildlife agent Bob Prieksat and myself organized the case and confronted
Harford. Harford confessed about killing the eagle with a rifle while the bird
was in flight."
Harford was charged
$5,000 restitution to the United States of America and given five years
probation. While on probation, he can not commit another federal, state or local
crime. Additionally, he can not illegally possess a controlled substance, nor
possess a firearm, destructive device or any other dangerous weapon.
Yost especially credited
the help of the Spink County Sheriff's Office in their efforts for resolving
this case. "It is great to have local law enforcement officers as willing to
help as the sheriff’s department. Thanks to the officers and citizens that
helped in this case, we were able to bring closure to another wildlife crime." | 
