Seattle – A 39-year-old member of the Lummi Nation pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to illegal firearms possession and two violations of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. Joel David Ridley was arrested by Lummi Nation Police on February 23, 2025, after police responded to reports of gunshots and encountered Ridley with a dead bald eagle in his SUV. U.S. District Judge John H. Chun scheduled sentencing for January 25, 2027. According to records in the case, a witness on the Lummi Reservation was walking his dog when he heard a gunshot. As he walked home, the witness heard a second shot and saw a person pick up an eagle from the ground. As the witness was on the phone with police, he saw another eagle fall from a tree on his property. The eagle was badly injured. Police captured the surviving eagle and later transported it to the Humane Society.
Shortly after meeting with the witness, police encountered an SUV in the area that matched the description provided by the reporting party. The vehicle quickly turned into a driveway. A records check revealed the vehicle belonged to Ridley. When police responded to the residence, they observed a dead eagle in the back seat of Ridley’s vehicle. Officers subsequently spoke with Ridley in the driveway and arrested him. Police obtained a search warrant for Ridley’s vehicle. Inside, officers found a dead eagle and a .22 caliber Savage rifle concealed between the rear seats. Ridley is prohibited from possessing firearms due to a 2003 conviction for Assault in the First Degree in Whatcom County Superior Court.
Both bald eagles were taken to the Washington State Humane Society in Bellingham and found to have suffered gunshot wounds. Due to the nature of its injury the surviving eagle was euthanized.
Unlawful Possession of a Firearm is punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Violation of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in prison and a $100,000 fine.
The case was investigated by the Lummi Nation Police Department and the FBI.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Celia Lee. AUSA Lee serves as a Tribal Liaison for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Washington.