On Wednesday, a man from Washington admitted to aiding in the deaths of numerous birds and violating federal laws by shooting eagles on a Native American reservation in Montana, then illegally selling their feathers and other body parts.

Last month, Travis John Branson entered a guilty plea for being involved in a conspiracy and illegally trafficking protected bald and golden eagles. This was part of a deal made with government lawyers.

Despite efforts by law enforcement to crack down on the illegal trade of eagle feathers, the recent case of eagles being killed on the Flathead Indian Reservation serves as a reminder that this trade still thrives. This issue has been met with many criminal indictments in the western and midwestern regions of the United States during the 2010s. These feathers and other parts of eagles hold significant cultural and ceremonial value for Native Americans, commonly used during ceremonies and powwows.

According to court records, Branson allegedly stated in a text from January 2021 that he planned to go on a “killing spree” in order to collect eagle tails. Branson and another individual, Simon Paul, were indicted in December for the killing of approximately 3,600 birds, including eagles, on and off the Flathead reservation.

The methods used to kill the majority of the birds and the locations of the killings have not been revealed by federal authorities. Additionally, this topic was not addressed during the Wednesday hearing.

In March 2021, prosecutors reported that a resident of Cusick, Washington named Branson sold two sets of golden eagle tail feathers to an unknown buyer for $650. These feathers are greatly valued among various Native American communities.

Just under two weeks afterwards, the authorities apprehended him on the reservation where he was in possession of the feet and feathers of a golden eagle that he had killed near Polson, Montana. This information can be found in court records, along with a photo of the severed feet of the bird, showcasing its large talons. The carcass of the bird had been “prepared” by the other defendant, Paul, and was discovered in a field nearby, according to the prosecution.

The police confiscated several cell phones during the arrest, which contained images and written messages detailing the illegal shooting, death, and sale of bald and golden eagles across the country, according to the prosecution.

During the questioning by Magistrate Judge Kathleen DeSoto, Branson admitted to conspiring to unlawfully capture and sell migratory birds, which is against federal regulations. He also mentioned that he knew his co-defendant from his childhood and is originally from the Polson region.

The sentencing hearing for DeSoto has been set for July 31st by Judge Dana Christensen at the U.S. District Court.

Following his hearing, Branson did not make any public statements and was not arrested pending his sentencing. His lawyer, Assistant Federal Defender Andrew Nelson, chose not to give a statement.

The agreement states that Branson must make restitution for any damages. The exact amount is yet to be determined, but tribal leaders are optimistic that a portion of the funds will be allocated to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes’ reservation located in Flathead.

I am hopeful that our tribes will receive some of the funds as our resources were harmed,” expressed Rich Janssen, Head of the Natural Resources Department. “It was our wardens who put in a lot of effort to bring this case to the attention of federal agencies, ultimately leading to the prosecution.”

Paul, from St. Ignatius, Montana, is still wanted by authorities. After failing to appear for his initial court hearing, a federal judge issued an arrest warrant for him in December.

The indictment stated that Branson and Paul transported golden and bald eagles, as well as their parts, at least 11 times from December 2020 until Branson’s arrest by law enforcement on March 13, 2021.

According to court documents, the unlawful behavior continued for an extended period of time. The filings describe a plot that originated in 2015 and included unidentified individuals who also engaged in eagle killings on the Flathead Reservation.

In a 2016 text message quoted by prosecutors, Branson appeared to acknowledge that shipping eagles internationally was illegal, adding, “I just get em for 99 cents…price of a bullet.”

According to court documents, during a different conversation, Branson was reportedly in talks to sell an eagle feather and stated, “I don’t receive them for free….I’m out here (sic) committing felonies.”

If convicted of the most severe charge of conspiracy, he could potentially be sentenced to up to five years in prison and a fine of $250,000. As part of the agreement, the lawyers for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Montana have promised to drop other charges related to trafficking, and also suggest a reduction in the sentencing guidelines that could result in a less severe punishment for Branson.

The criminal proceedings are occurring nearly ten years after the commencement of a trafficking inquiry by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in multiple states. This investigation, called “Operation Dakota Flyer,” resulted in 35 individuals being charged and the rescue of over 150 eagles, 100 hawks and owls, as well as 20 other protected bird species that were either confiscated or obtained through undercover purchases by law enforcement. According to federal authorities, this operation was a success.

Native American nations officially acknowledged by the government have the opportunity to request licenses from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to acquire a bald or golden eagle for religious reasons. Additionally, members of these tribes are able to request feathers and other body parts of birds from the National Eagle Repository in Colorado, as well as non-government repositories in Oklahoma and Phoenix. Unfortunately, there is a significant delay in processing these requests at the National Repository and experts warn that the excessive demand is contributing to the illegal trade of eagle parts.

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The news came from Billings, Montana, according to Brown.

Source: wral.com