Current:Home > InvestMen used AR-style rifles to kill protected wild burros in Mojave Desert, federal prosecutors say-LoTradeCoin
Men used AR-style rifles to kill protected wild burros in Mojave Desert, federal prosecutors say
lotradecoin comparison View Date:2024-12-25 12:34:15
Two men have pleaded guilty to federal criminal charges for fatally shooting three wild donkeys with AR-style rifles in Southern California's Mojave Desert, prosecutors said Monday.
The men, identified as Christopher James Arnet, 32, of Colorado, and Cameron John Feikema, 36, of California, said in their plea agreements that they drove out to the desert in Arnet's truck in November 2021. The area they drove to was public land in San Bernardino County, according to a news release from the U.S. District Attorney's Office for the Central District of California. When the men got out of the truck, they were dressed in tactical gear, including helmets with night-vision goggles, and carrying short-barreled AR-style firearms.
At around 1 a.m. local time, the two men fired on wild donkeys, or burros, killing three of the animals. One animal was paralyzed and in "severe pain before it died," prosecutors said. Each man fired multiple rounds, and Arnet fired the bullet that paralyzed one of the donkeys, according to an investigation by the Bureau of Land Management.
The firearms were later seized from the men's homes. Investigators found that the weapons were unregistered, despite requirements that they be registered under federal law.
Both Arnet and Feikema were charged with a felony count of possession of an unregistered firearm, and a misdemeanor count of maliciously causing the death of a burro on public lands. Both men pleaded guilty to the charges, and as part of their plea agreement, agreed to forfeit the rifles, night vision goggles, and other gear, including over 4,000 rounds of ammunition.
The men will next appear in court on July 8 for sentencing. They each face up to 10 years in prison for the firearm charge and one year in prison for the charge of killing the burros.
Burros are federally protected under the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971, as CBS News previously reported, and those found guilty of capturing, branding, harassing or killing wild, free-roaming horses or burros could face a fine and jail time.
- In:
- San Bernardino
- California
Kerry Breen is a reporter and news editor at CBSNews.com. A graduate of New York University's Arthur L. Carter School of Journalism, she previously worked at NBC News' TODAY Digital. She covers current events, breaking news and issues including substance use.
TwitterveryGood! (248)
Related
- One Tech Tip: How to protect your communications through encryption
- Kevin Bacon, the runaway pig, is back home: How he hogged the viral limelight with escape
- Company charged in 2018 blast that leveled home and hurt 3, including 4-year-old boy
- Attorney says van der Sloot’s confession about Natalee Holloway’s murder was ‘chilling’
- 'The Later Daters': Cast, how to stream new Michelle Obama
- Corey Seager earns second World Series MVP, joining Sandy Koufax, Bob Gibson and Reggie Jackson
- As Sam Bankman-Fried trial reaches closing arguments, jurors must assess a spectacle of hubris
- Walmart to reopen over 100 remodeled stores: What will be different for shoppers
- ParkMobile $32.8 million settlement: How to join class
- The Fed held interest rates steady — but the fight against inflation is not over yet
Ranking
- Chiquis comes from Latin pop royalty. How the regional Mexican star found her own crown
- Thanksgiving pizza? Turkey, gravy, green beans are toppings on this new DiGiorno pie
- Court fights invoking US Constitution’s ‘insurrection clause’ against Trump turn to Minnesota
- Tesla's Autopilot not responsible for fatal 2019 crash in California, jury finds in landmark case
- Gen Z is 'doom spending' its way through the holidays. What does that mean?
- 'I'm barely getting by': Why these voters say the economy is their top issue in 2024
- Memphis police officer charged in Tyre Nichols death to change plea in federal criminal case
- WayV reflects on youth and growth in second studio album: 'It's a new start for us'
Recommendation
-
US inflation likely edged up last month, though not enough to deter another Fed rate cut
-
With flowers, altars and candles, Mexicans are honoring deceased relatives on the Day of the Dead
-
Britney Spears’ memoir a million seller after just one week on sale
-
I Bond interest rate hits 5.27% with fixed rate boost: What investors should know
-
She grew up in an Arizona church community. Now, she claims it was actually a religious cult.
-
Executions in Iran are up 30%, a new United Nations report says
-
Freeform’s 25 Days of Christmas Schedule Revealed
-
'Selling Sunset' returns for 7th season: Release date, cast, trailer, how to watch