A date has been scheduled for the sentencing of a man accused of killing more than 3,600 birds, including over 118 protected eagles, during a long-lasting wildlife trafficking operation in the Western United States, according to new court filings.

Travis John Branson, 48, entered a guilty plea in March to multiple charges, including conspiracy, wildlife trafficking, and trafficking of bald and golden eagles, at a federal court in Montana.

As detailed in a sentencing memorandum submitted on Tuesday, Branson and his associates engaged in the killing of eagles and subsequently sold them across the country for illegal profits.

“It was not unusual for Branson to take down as many as nine eagles at once,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Montana stated in the filing. “In addition to killing eagles, Branson dismembered them to sell the parts for future profit.”

Branson Estimated to Earn $360,000 from Black Market Sales from 2009 to 2021

As outlined in the court documents, Branson, who hails from Washington state, aimed to profit by shooting, killing, and selling eagles for several years.

Investigations revealed that Branson and Simon Paul from St. Ignatius, Montana, had been involved in the killings, a fact “documented in Branson’s own text messages,” as indicated in court documents.

The court papers revealed that the co-defendants grew up in the Flathead Reservation region. After their indictment, Paul fled to Canada to avoid prosecution.

Agents found various photos on Branson’s phone showing him sending feathers and parts from recently killed eagles.

In his texts with Paul, Branson stated he was “specifically looking to shoot a baby eagle,” according to prosecutors. These conversations also indicated he had “no remorse for killing eagles” and might have even “taken pride in the number of eagles he killed.”

Branson is believed to have profited between $180,000 and $360,000 from 2009 to 2021, averaging between $15,000 and $30,000 annually.

It is estimated that the two men may have killed around 3,600 birds over many years, as Paul previously informed law enforcement.

“Branson’s actions are a violation of one of our country’s most treasured symbols,” prosecutors asserted in the legal filing. “His punishment should reflect the gravity of these crimes.”

The Men Engaged in a “Killing Spree”

“Branson committed these acts knowing they were wrong,” the court papers indicate. “During discussions about pricing for eagle feathers with a potential buyer, Branson consistently acknowledged his actions were illegal: He mentioned obtaining other eagle tails by “going on a killing spree.”

Prosecutors are urging the judge to impose a “substantial prison term” and require Branson to pay $777,250 in restitution—$5,000 for each deceased eagle and $1,750 for each of the more than 100 hawks believed to have been killed by Branson and his associates.

If Branson had opted for a trial and been found guilty, he would have faced a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000 penalty for the most serious charge of conspiracy. Under a plea agreement reached in February, prosecutors consented to drop additional trafficking charges.

Branson is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Dana L. Christensen on September 18.

Co-Defendant Still at Large

An arrest warrant has been issued for Paul since January after he failed to show up for a scheduled court appearance.

As of Thursday, he remains at large.

Paul faces charges including one count of conspiracy, one count of illegal trafficking of bald and golden eagles, and one count of violating the Lacey Act, which prohibits the trafficking of illegally harvested wildlife, fish, or plants.

Why is Eagle Trafficking Illegal?

The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, established in 1940, prohibits the “taking, possession, sale, purchase, barter, offer to sell, purchase or barter, transport, export or import, at any time or in any manner, any bald or golden eagle [or any part thereof, including feathers], nest, or egg,” as stated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

First-time offenders found guilty of breaking the act may face one or both of the following,

As stated by the agency:

• A $100,000 penalty, which can rise to $200,000 for companies
• A year in prison

The FWS mentioned, “Fines considerably increase for further infractions, and a second breach of this Act is categorized as a felony.”

Contributions by: James Powel

Natalie Neysa Alund serves as a senior correspondent at YSL News.  follow her on X @nataliealund.