Rodney Thomas, the father of Indianapolis Colts safety Rodney Thomas II, has been arrested for allegedly shooting and killing a bald eagle.
The elder Thomas, 50, was indicted by a Pittsburgh federal grand jury for violating the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, according to reports from the New York Post.
Thomas allegedly killed the eagle with an air rifle in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, and turned himself in to authorities after the incident.
The eagle was one of two that had nested in the area for nearly two decades. It was beloved by residents of the Pittsburgh suburb, who told the New York Post that they’d given it the nickname “Sam” based on a character from Disney’s Muppet Vision 3D.
Thomas was released on $10,000 bail and faces penalties including $5,000 and a year in jail.
“This office remains committed to investigating and prosecuting environmental and wildlife offenses under federal law, including the unlawful killing of bald eagles – the United States’ national bird since 1782,” Pittsburgh U.S. Attorney Eric G. Olshan said.
Thomas II is heading into his second NFL season with the Colts.