Five Makah whale hunters face federal charges

Five men from the Makah Native tribe in Washington state facing federal charges for killing a gray whale say they were hunting under tribal rights.

If found guilty, the men face up to a year in jail. They could also face time in a tribal jail if found to have violated the reservation's laws, the newspaper reported.

NEAH BAY, Wash. -- Five men in Washington state facing federal charges for killing a gray whale say they were hunting under tribal rights.

The men from the Makah tribe said they acted within the 153-year-old treaty their tribe signed with the U.S. government, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported Monday. They call themselves "treaty warriors," arguing that whaling is a central part of their tribe's ancient religious experience.

The newspaper reported that Frankie Gonzales, Wayne Johnson, Andrew Noel, Theron Parker and William Secor Sr. harpooned the gray whale and shot it at least 16 times with large-caliber rifles.

But before they could capture the marine mammal, the men were arrested by the U.S. Coast Guard. The men were charged with violating the Marine Mammal Protection Act, a misdemeanor.

If found guilty, the men face up to a year in jail. They could also face time in a tribal jail if found to have violated the reservation's laws, the newspaper reported.