Man Involved in Eagle Trafficking Faces Sentencing

A man involved in a massive wildlife trafficking operation that led to the deaths of at least 118 eagles is set to face sentencing in federal court. Travis John Branson, from Cusick, Washington, was part of a long-running scheme that trafficked eagle parts on the black market. The ring, which operated in Montana’s Flathead Indian Reservation and other areas, allegedly resulted in the deaths of thousands of birds over more than a decade.

Branson, who is scheduled for sentencing on September 18, admitted to selling bald and golden eagle feathers, wings, and other parts, which are highly sought after for use in Native American ceremonies. Prosecutors estimate that Branson made between $180,000 and $360,000 from these illegal sales between 2009 and 2021. He faces a potential prison sentence of up to five years and a fine of $250,000.

According to court filings, Branson’s role in the trafficking network was extensive, with prosecutors stating he would sometimes take as many as nine eagles at a time. Branson not only killed the birds but also butchered them into parts to sell for future profit. The illegal trade of eagle parts is strictly prohibited under U.S. law, with severe penalties for those who violate these protections.

Eagle parts, including feathers, are legally available to members of federally recognized tribes through the National Eagle Repository, but demand far exceeds supply. Many turn to the black market as a result, fueling illegal activities like those Branson was involved in.

Branson’s sentencing is expected to include a significant prison term and hefty restitution fines. Prosecutors are asking for $777,250 in total restitution, including $5,000 for each eagle killed and $1,750 for each of the 107 hawks involved in the case. Branson’s attorney, however, disputes the numbers provided by prosecutors, claiming they are inflated and not fully supported by evidence.

Much of the prosecutors’ claims come from Branson’s co-defendant, Simon Paul, who estimated that as many as 3,600 birds had been killed. Paul, currently evading capture in Canada, originally gave a lower estimate of around 1,000 birds. Branson’s attorney also challenges the inclusion of hawks in the restitution calculation, stating they were not part of the initial indictment. Despite these disputes, investigators have gathered substantial evidence through recovered text messages and other communication between Branson and his accomplices. Although two years’ worth of messages were not recovered, officials believe the scale of the bird killings is likely greater than the current documented figures.

Please sign this petition to Tell Authorities to Explore Non-lethal Alternatives to Manage the Barred Owl Population!

Related Content:

• 41 Bald Eagles in 15 States Have Died From Avian Influenza Since Late February
• Injured Bald Eagle Recovering After Shooting Incident in Missouri
• Conflict in Ukraine Forces Migratory Eagles to Alter Flight Paths
• For the First Time in Recorded History, Bald Eagles are Nesting in Toronto
• New York City’s Eagle Owl, Flaco, Passes Away

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
• Adopt-a-Pet: Visit WildWatchers, a watchdog platform specifically designed for animal, earth, and wildlife warriors to actively give back, rescue, and protect animals and the planet.
• Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Take initiative by standing up against fast fashion Pollution and supporting sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue that raise awareness around important issues through recycled zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade over and over again.
• Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
• Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and important stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
• Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!