A man pleaded guilty to wildlife trafficking as court documents show that at least 118 eagles were killed as part of this long-running operation. Prosecutors said the wildlife trafficking ring in the Western U.S. reveals bird victims could reach into the thousands. The eagles’ parts were sold on the black market for profits.
The case centers on a man named Travis John Branson. Prosecutors said the man from Washington made between $180,000 and $360,000 over 13 years illegally selling bald and golden eagle parts.
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Prosecutors painted a grim picture of Branson’s activities, highlighting the systematic nature of the killings.
“It was not uncommon for Branson to take upwards of nine eagles at a time,” they said.
Branson pleaded guilty in March to conspiracy, wildlife trafficking and two counts of trafficking federally protected bald and golden eagles. He faces a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Prosecutors asked the judge to sentence Branson to “significant imprisonment” and restitution totaling $777,250, including $5,000 for every dead eagle and $1,750 for each of 107 hawks that investigators said he and his co-conspirators killed.
The prosecution also alleges that as many as 3,600 birds were killed by co-defendant, Simon Paul, who remains at large.
U.S. law prohibits anyone without a permit from killing, wounding or disturbing eagles, or taking their nests or eggs.
Native American tribes often seek eagle wings, tails, feathers and other eagle parts to use them in ceremonies. However, a permit system is in place to ensure the parts are collected ethically.
