A Washington state man is facing charges for his involvement in a disturbing crime that involved the killing of thousands of birds, including eagles, on an American Indian reservation in Montana. Travis John Branson, along with another defendant, Simon Paul, allegedly engaged in a spree of illegal hunting and selling of eagle feathers and body parts on the black market.

The case highlights the persistence of an illegal trade in eagle feathers despite law enforcement efforts to crackdown on such activities in the past. The grand jury indictment quotes Branson as saying he was going on a “killing spree” to obtain eagle tails, resulting in the deaths of approximately 3,600 birds, including eagles, on the Flathead reservation and elsewhere.

In March 2021, Branson reportedly sold two sets of golden eagle tail feathers to an unidentified purchaser for $650. A few weeks later, he was stopped by law enforcement on the reservation, where they found the feet and feathers of a golden eagle he had shot. This gruesome discovery led to further investigations that uncovered a network of illegal trafficking in eagle parts.

Feathers and body parts of eagles are illegal to sell but are highly sought after by Native Americans for ceremonial purposes. Despite this, Branson continued to engage in the illegal trade, leading to his indictment on several charges including conspiracy and wildlife trafficking.

Branson reached a deal with prosecutors to plead guilty to four counts, with a potential sentence of up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. His accomplice, Simon Paul, remains at large after failing to appear for a court hearing in December.

The indictment reveals a long-standing conspiracy that dates back to 2015 and involves other individuals who have not been publicly identified. Text messages exchanged by Branson indicate a cavalier attitude towards the illegal activity, with references to committing felonies and shipping eagles internationally.

The criminal case comes as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in protecting endangered bird species like eagles. The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, enacted in 1940 and extended to protect golden eagles in 1962, aims to safeguard these majestic birds from exploitation.

While efforts to conserve eagle populations have made significant progress in recent years, incidents like the one involving Branson and Paul highlight the continued threats posed by illegal trafficking in eagle parts. It is essential for law enforcement agencies and wildlife organizations to remain vigilant in combating such activities to ensure the survival of these iconic birds for future generations.