Prosecutors Report: Trafficking Ring Kills at Least 118 Eagles

Billings, Mont. — A man has admitted to orchestrating the illegal killing of at least 118 eagles in a black market scheme to sell their feathers and body parts, as part of a significant wildlife trafficking operation in the western United States. Court documents reveal that this operation has led to the deaths of thousands of birds.

Travis John Branson, who hails from Cusick, Washington, is awaiting sentencing in federal court set for September 18. His involvement in this trafficking ring spanned from 2009 to 2021, during which he earned between $180,000 and $360,000 from the illegal sale of bald and golden eagle parts.

According to prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Montana, Branson frequently took as many as nine eagles at a time during his poaching activities. “Not only did Branson kill eagles, but he hacked them into pieces to sell for future profits,” the prosecutors stated in a court filing.

The parts of eagles—such as wings, tails, and feathers—are in high demand among Native American communities for use in traditional ceremonies. Prosecutors have asked for a substantial prison sentence for Branson, in addition to restitution totaling $777,250. This amount comprises $5,000 for each dead eagle and an additional $1,750 for each of the 107 hawks that investigators allege he and his associates killed.

However, Branson’s attorney has contested these assertions, claiming that the prosecution has exaggerated the figures regarding the number of birds killed. The estimate of 3,600 birds allegedly killed is based on the testimony of a co-defendant, Simon Paul, who is still at large. His attorney suggested that this inflated number has incited public outrage regarding the case.

Federal Defender Andrew Nelson pointed out a notable discrepancy in Paul’s claims, highlighting how his estimates shifted from 3,600 to 1,000 birds. Furthermore, Nelson argued that restitution for the hawks was unwarranted since their killings were not included in the grand jury indictment from the previous year. He also emphasized that Branson has no prior criminal history, advocating for a sentence of probation instead of prison time.

Branson and Paul grew up near the Flathead Reservation area, and since their indictment, Paul has evaded capture by fleeing to Canada. Attempts to reach his defense attorney for comment have gone unanswered.

The U.S. prosecutors asserted that they were able to track the minimum number of eagles and hawks killed through Branson’s text messages; however, two years’ worth of messages were not recovered, leaving the full extent of his illegal activities unknown. Officials have not disclosed whether other species of birds were harmed during this operation.

Bald and golden eagles hold significant sacred value to many Native American tribes. U.S. law prohibits anyone from harming these birds or disturbing their nests without a proper permit. A recent study by government officials found that illegal shootings are one of the leading causes of golden eagle deaths.

Federally recognized tribes have legal avenues to obtain eagle feathers and other bird parts through established channels like the National Eagle Repository in Colorado, as well as non-governmental offices based in Oklahoma and Phoenix. However, there is a significant backlog of requests piling up at the national repository.

In March, Branson pleaded guilty to several charges, including conspiracy and wildlife trafficking, as well as two counts related to the trafficking of federally protected eagles. For the conspiracy charge, he faces a maximum prison sentence of five years and a potential $250,000 fine. Yet under a plea agreement, prosecutors indicated they would seek to drop some of the additional trafficking charges.

Federal guidelines suggest a recommended sentence of approximately three to four years in prison for Branson. The gravity of the allegations against him and the scope of the wildlife trafficking operation continue to raise pressing concerns about illegal wildlife trade.

Source: CBS News