Two men who used high-powered rifles to kill three wild donkeys in Southern California’s Mojave Desert more than two years ago pleaded guilty Monday to federal charges related to the shootings, prosecutors said.
The men were wearing tactical equipment, including night vision goggles, when they targeted Barros on Nov. 6, 2021, in a remote area northeast of Barstow, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a statement.
Authorities may have information about the long-running California Barro murder investigation
John Faikema, of Yorba Linda, Calif., and Christopher James Arnett, of Loveland, Colo., each face one count of felony possession of an unregistered short-barreled rifle and criminal mischief on public property, according to the statement. He pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor charge of causing the death of a wolf. Said.
Wild donkeys are protected by federal law. They are also an iconic symbol of the American Southwest, dating back to their days as draft horses during the California Gold Rush.
Investigators said Feikema, 36, fired at least four shots and Arnett, 32, fired at least five shots.
Two men have pleaded guilty to killing Barros in California’s Mojave Desert. (Fox News)
“One Rollo was shot in the back leg near the spine, paralyzing the Rollo’s back leg and causing severe pain before death. The bullet was removed from the Rollo and fired from Arnett’s gun.” said the statement.
Prosecutors said the weapons were unregistered “AR-style” rifles and were seized at each man’s home. As part of the plea agreement, Arnett and Feikema agreed to surrender the gun, more than 4,000 rounds of ammunition, night vision goggles and other tactical equipment.
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At sentencing, scheduled for July 8, each defendant faces up to 10 years in federal prison for the firearms violation and up to one year in federal prison for Barrow’s death, prosecutors said.
