Prosecutors: Wildlife Trafficking Ring Killed at Least 118 Eagles

In a significant wildlife trafficking case, Travis John Branson has admitted to his participation in the illegal trade of eagles, contributing to the deaths of at least 118 birds over several years. This operation took place primarily on the Flathead Indian Reservation in Montana and has been linked to the loss of thousands of eagles across the western United States, according to court documents.

Branson is set to face sentencing on September 18 in federal court. The authorities allege that he earned between $180,000 and $360,000 from 2009 to 2021 by selling parts of bald and golden eagles unlawfully. Prosecutors claim that it was routine for Branson to kill multiple eagles at once, with some reports indicating he would routinely take up to nine eagles in a single instance.

Further allegations detail that Branson not only killed these protected birds but also dismembered them for profit. The feathers, wings, and other body parts are in high demand among Native Americans, who use them in various cultural and ceremonial practices.

Prosecutors have requested that Judge Dana Christensen impose a substantial prison sentence on Branson. In addition to imprisonment, they are seeking restitution amounting to $777,250, which includes $5,000 for each eagle killed and $1,750 for each of the 107 hawks that he and his associates reportedly targeted.

Branson’s defense attorney disputed the government’s figures, claiming they inflated the number of birds involved in the case. The prosecution’s figure of around 3,600 birds comes from Simon Paul, a co-defendant who is currently a fugitive, allegedly hiding in Canada. The defense argued that this inflated death toll has exacerbated public response to the case.

In a recent filing, Branson’s attorney, Andrew Nelson, pointed out that Paul changed his estimate from 3,600 to approximately 1,000 birds during a traffic stop in March 2021, suggesting inconsistency in the testimony concerning the actual numbers killed.

Nelson also argued against the restitution for the hawks since the charges related to those killings were not included in the grand jury indictment that led to Branson’s charges. He emphasized that Branson has no prior criminal record, asking the court for a more lenient sentence, potentially involving probation.

Branson and Paul are both from the Flathead Reservation area. Despite their indictment, Paul has been evading law enforcement since then. The defense counsel for Paul has not responded to requests for comments regarding the ongoing case.

Evidence presented by investigators, including Branson’s text messages, has helped establish the minimum quantities of eagles and hawks killed. However, investigators noted that two years’ worth of text messages from Branson were not recovered, raising concerns that the full extent of the illegal killings may never be completely known.

The specific number of other bird species impacted by this operation has not been disclosed by government officials. Furthermore, bald and golden eagles hold significant cultural relevance for many Native American communities, and U.S. law strictly prohibits anyone from killing or disturbing these birds without the appropriate permits.

Illegal killings remain one of the leading causes of golden eagle mortality, according to recent studies. Native Americans are permitted to legally acquire eagle feathers and parts through the National Eagle Repository in Colorado and other authorized sites. However, there is a considerable backlog of requests at the national repository, complicating access to these culturally significant materials.

Branson pleaded guilty earlier this year to conspiracy, wildlife trafficking, and two counts of trafficking bald and golden eagles. He faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the most serious charge of conspiracy. Under his plea agreement, prosecutors indicated they would seek to drop additional charges related to trafficking.

The federal sentencing guidelines recommend a prison term of approximately three to four years for Branson based on the charges.