RAPID CITY, S.D. – A Rapid City man has been sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to pay nearly $16,000 in restitution for illegally trafficking eagle parts.
Troy Fairbanks was sentenced Tuesday by Judge Jeffrey Viken.
Fairbanks was arrested as part of Operation Dakota Flyer, a two-year undercover operation into the illegal trafficking of eagle feathers and parts.
According to the factual basis statement Fairbanks signed he admitted to selling or bartering parts of bald eagles and golden eagles.
In one instance, he sold an eagle head eagle wings, and 223 loose feathers to a confidential informant.
That statement says over two years at least 112 different eagles or their parts passed through Fairbanks’ home.
