BELLINGHAM, Wash. — A Lummi Nation man is facing multiple charges in Whatcom County Superior Court and Western Washington District Court following arrests in late February and again in March of 2025.
Joel David Ridley, Sr., age 38, was arrested by Lummi Nation Police (LNP) on February 23, 2025, and charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, carrying a concealed firearm without a permit and aiming and discharging a firearm.
According to a complaint filed in US District Court, Western District of Washington, on March 28, 2025, by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), LNP had responded to reports of gunshots and encountered Ridley with a dead eagle in his SUV.
A witness told LNP they saw a person standing on the sidewalk next to a parked SUV near the Stommish Grounds when they heard a gunshot. The witness walked home and heard a second shot. They reported seeing the same SUV approach and saw a person pickup an eagle from the ground. While calling 911, they saw another eagle fall from a tree.
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A responding LNP officer was led to the injured eagle which was then captured and placed in the patrol vehicle. Another responding LNP officer located Ridley driving the suspect SUV. He denied shooting the eagles. A dead eagle was reportedly visible in plain sight in the back seat of the SUV.
The injured and deceased eagles were taken to the Whatcom County Humane Society. The injured eagle was euthanized due to the extent of its injuries. Both were determined to be juvenile bald eagles, and their injuries were consistent with gunshot wounds.
The SUV was seized and a search warrant obtained. During execution of the warrant, a .22 rifle with a chambered round was located in a concealed location in the back seat.
Ridley was convicted of 1st-degree assault in 2003 stemming from a random attack on a victim in downtown Bellingham where the victim suffered multiple skull fractures and other injuries.
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Ridley was arrested by LNP on February 23, 2025, and released from custody 2 days later after posting a $1,500 appearance bond in Lummi Tribal Court.
While the Lummi Tribe is permitted to possess, distribute, and transport bald or golden eagles found dead within Indian Country, the permit does not authorize the taking of eagles by gunshot, poison, or trapping.
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.
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The case continues to be investigated by the LNP and FBI.
Ridley was arrested again by the LNP on March 26, 2025, after an arrest warrant was issued March 24, 2025, following a possession of child pornography investigation that had begun in October of 2024. It was reported that files containing child sexual abuse material were traced to online service accounts associated with Ridley and his telephone number.
According to the probable cause affidavit filed in Whatcom County Superior Court, over 160 files were located, some having been placed within a secure storage smartphone application that provided additional security.
As a result of the investigation, Ridley now faces 4 counts of 1st-degree possession of depictions of minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Following his arrest, he was transferred to federal custody while he awaits making an initial appearance on April 9, 2025.
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