Operation Falcon (USFWS operation)
Encyclopedia
Operation Falcon was an undercover operation conducted by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Canadian Wildlife Service
from 1982–1984. The investigation into the illegal sale of federally protected birds
resulted in 63 people being tried or taking a plea bargain. Of the cases that went to trial, there were 5 acquittal
s, 5 felony
convictions, 44 misdemeanor
convictions and 1 civil
conviction. Jeff McPartlin, a falconer
who was reported to be integral to the operation, received the Monitor award for his work. He was later ejected from the North American Falconers Association
because officials from the group felt "the man had deceived people". Many falconers were upset at the tactics used during the investigation and felt that the sting inappropriately targeted bystanders rather than professional long term smugglers.
Canadian Wildlife Service
The Canadian Wildlife Service or CWS is a branch of the Department of the Environment, also known as Environment Canada, a department of the Government of Canada....
from 1982–1984. The investigation into the illegal sale of federally protected birds
Endangered Species Act
The Endangered Species Act of 1973 is one of the dozens of United States environmental laws passed in the 1970s. Signed into law by President Richard Nixon on December 28, 1973, it was designed to protect critically imperiled species from extinction as a "consequence of economic growth and...
resulted in 63 people being tried or taking a plea bargain. Of the cases that went to trial, there were 5 acquittal
Acquittal
In the common law tradition, an acquittal formally certifies the accused is free from the charge of an offense, as far as the criminal law is concerned. This is so even where the prosecution is abandoned nolle prosequi...
s, 5 felony
Felony
A felony is a serious crime in the common law countries. The term originates from English common law where felonies were originally crimes which involved the confiscation of a convicted person's land and goods; other crimes were called misdemeanors...
convictions, 44 misdemeanor
Misdemeanor
A misdemeanor is a "lesser" criminal act in many common law legal systems. Misdemeanors are generally punished much less severely than felonies, but theoretically more so than administrative infractions and regulatory offences...
convictions and 1 civil
Lawsuit
A lawsuit or "suit in law" is a civil action brought in a court of law in which a plaintiff, a party who claims to have incurred loss as a result of a defendant's actions, demands a legal or equitable remedy. The defendant is required to respond to the plaintiff's complaint...
conviction. Jeff McPartlin, a falconer
Falconer
Falconer or The Falconer may refer to:*A person skilled in the art of falconry*Falconer , a family name*Falconer, New York, United StatesIn media:*Falconer , a power metal band from Sweden...
who was reported to be integral to the operation, received the Monitor award for his work. He was later ejected from the North American Falconers Association
North American Falconers Association
The North American Falconers Association is a falconry organization composed primarily of falconers.Founded in 1961 by Hal Webster, Frank Beebe and other prominent falconers of the time, NAFA is a not-for-profit private association formed to:*Provide communication among, and to disseminate...
because officials from the group felt "the man had deceived people". Many falconers were upset at the tactics used during the investigation and felt that the sting inappropriately targeted bystanders rather than professional long term smugglers.