by John M. Simpson.
On July 26, 2019, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit issued a decision in United States of America v. Sheldon Tree Top, No. 18-1816 (8th Cir. July 26, 2019), a criminal case that had arisen under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, 16 U.S.C. § 668(a) and the Lacey Act, 16 U.S.C. §§ 3372(a)(1), 3373(d)(2). Defendant pleaded guilty to selling eagle feathers in violation of the Eagle Protection Act, and the Lacey Act count was dismissed. Defendant was sentenced to six months imprisonment and one year of supervised release. As a condition of supervised release, the district court ordered that defendant pay $5,000 in restitution. Defendant appealed and challenged the restitution order, and the Eighth Circuit reversed. Continue reading “8th Circuit Reverses Restitution Order In Eagle Feathers Sale Case”