Two men, John Feikema of Yorba Linda, California, and Christopher James Arnet of Loveland, Colorado, have pleaded guilty to federal charges related to the killing of three wild burros in the Mojave Desert over two years ago. The incident took place on November 6, 2021, in a remote area northeast of Barstow. The U.S. Attorney’s Office revealed that the men were equipped with high-powered rifles and wore tactical gear, including night vision goggles, during the attack.
According to prosecutors, Feikema, 36, fired at least four shots, while Arnet, 32, fired at least five shots at the burros. The wild burros, protected under federal law, hold significant cultural and historical value as iconic symbols of the American Southwest, tracing back to their role as pack animals during the Gold Rush in California.
The investigation revealed that one of the burros was shot near its spine, causing paralysis and severe pain before succumbing to its injuries. A bullet recovered from the burro matched the firearm used by Arnet. The weapons used in the crime, unregistered “AR-style” rifles, were seized from the defendants’ residences.
As part of their plea agreements, both Feikema and Arnet have agreed to surrender their firearms, which include over 4,000 rounds of ammunition, night vision goggles, and other tactical gear. Sentencing for the defendants is scheduled for July 8. They face a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison for the firearm violation and up to one year for the malicious killing of the burros.
4 Responses
This is such a tragic and senseless act. It’s heartbreaking to hear about the killing of these innocent wild burros. I hope justice is served for these beautiful creatures. I will definitely share this post on my social media platforms to help spread awareness and promote the cause. Let’s stand together to protect and preserve our wildlife. #SaveTheBurros ????????
There doesn’t seem to be any errors or inaccuracies in the post. However, it would be helpful to provide credible sources to support the information mentioned.
I remember reading about this case when it first made headlines, and it really struck a chord with me. As an animal lover and advocate for wildlife conservation, it’s always disheartening to hear about acts of cruelty towards innocent animals.
I have always been fascinated by the beauty and resilience of wild burros, and it breaks my heart to think that these majestic creatures were senselessly killed. The Mojave Desert is their natural habitat, and they play an important role in maintaining the ecosystem’s balance.
This is absolutely outrageous and sickening! How could anyone have the heart to kill innocent and defenseless wild burros? These majestic creatures deserve to roam freely in their natural habitat without fear of being hunted down by heartless individuals like John Feikema and Christopher James Arnet.
It is infuriating to think that these men not only took the lives of three innocent burros but also violated federal laws in the process. These animals are protected by law, and yet these criminals thought they could get away